WATCH: Lizzo Says ‘Protest Is Not the End of Progress’
Over the weekend, Lizzo spoke out regarding the protests that have taken place internationally against police brutality in the United States.
“Protest is not the end of progress, it is the beginning. I wonder what would happen if all the big companies and celebrities who have shown support on social media came out and used their platform to let activists and protesters speak and be seen?” Lizzo wrote on Instagram.
“I wonder what would happen if we allowed the outrage to have positive influence in our local government? What would happen if those in power defunded the police & dismantled their racist culture and corrupt power structures?”
“Cities are burning, are you watching? I stand with Minneapolis,” Lizzo continued. “I believe in us. Change is gonna come.” In the video that Lizzo posted on the social media platform, she addressed black people and white people with separate messages.
“Black people, this is your daily reminder that it is not your job to educate people on racism or white privilege,” Lizzo said. “It is exhausting and if they don’t see it or believe it by now they don’t want to. There are Googles and there are books, and they can do that for themselves.”
“White people, this is your daily reminder that as long as you stay silent you are a part of the problem,” Lizzo continued. “I know you are not racist, but you have to be more than that. You have to be anti-racist. Speak up!”
“And to all of the influential people who have spoken up, thank you for your allyship and your support,” she continued. “Protest is the beginning of progress, not the end of it. And now that the protesters have everyone’s attention what are the next steps that we’re going to take and make sure that we are moving forward and we don’t go back to this [expletive]?”
“Now is the time. The world is standing still and waiting for action,” the Grammy Award-winning artist concluded. “Let’s make progress.” Watch Lizzo’s video below.