In this week alone, two African-American men have been
shot and killed by police officers. Alton Sterling’s confrontation with police
and death was recorded by an eyewitness parked outside of a Baton Rouge
convenience store. Merely 24-hours later Philando Castile of Falcon Heights,
Minn. was shot and killed during a traffic stop. The entire ordeal was streamed
live on Facebook by Castile’s girlfriend. These killings have prompted Black
Lives Matter protests nationwide. Hysteria only increased after five police
officers were killed and seven others were wounded at a Dallas
protest late Thursday night.
The frightening regularity of police brutality and gun
violence has prompted responses from politicians and celebrities alike. Two of
the most notable figures speaking out are Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Jay-Z released a
song, titled “Spiritual”, on Tidal late Thursday night. The track was inspired
by the imprudent handling of high-profile instances of police brutality. The
new single certainly has fans excited, considering this is the mogul’s first
project as a lead artist in three years. The raw lyrics of “Spiritual” give
listeners a small look into Jay-Z’s anger with the treatment of young black men
in America. This is most directly seen in the track’s hook when he states “Yeah,
I am not poison, no I am not poison / Just a boy from the hood that / Got my
hands in the air / In despair, don’t shoot / I just wanna do good, ah.” Unlike
most songs found on Tidal, “Spiritual” is currently streaming for both
subscribers as well as non-subscribers.
A letter from
Jay-Z was also attached to the song. The letter explains the inspiration behind
the track and calls her serious social reform. Jay-Z confesses the song was
initially recorded and meant to be released in 2014 after the death of Michael
Brown, however at the time he didn’t have enough time to complete it. The note concludes with a quote from
abolitionist Fredrick Douglass: “Where justice is denied, where poverty is
enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel
that society is an organised conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them,
neither persons nor property will be safe.”
Beyoncé has also made her stance on recent events very
clear. During her concert in Glasgow, Scotland on Thursday, Queen B had a
moment of silence to honor all of those who have been killed by police brutality.
The moment became even more solemn when the names of victims of police violence
were displayed on giant screens behind the pop star.
After her Glasgow performance, Beyoncé posted a letter
on her website. Like her husband, the artist expressed her anger for the events
which have unfolded of the course of a week. The letter ended with Beyoncé
encouraging her fans to contact their local politicians in order to protest on
behalf of Sterling, Castile, as well as the other victims of gun violence.
Moment of Silence at @Beyonce's #FormationWorldTour Glasgow show. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/3QjzpX5Wk7— Lauren. (@laurendotwilson) July 7, 2016
- Intern Brittney
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