Catriona Gray takes stand against racism amid African American deaths

Catriona Gray. Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray joined the voices calling out racism as protests mount against deaths of African Americans in the United States.

“I’ve been watching the news and developments from home, and have been wrestling with feelings of outrage and incredulousness. I’ve not really known what to say on my platforms but I feel so strongly compelled not to stay silent,” she said on Instagram today, May 31.

“Violence is never the answer, but speaking up against what you feel is wrong can play a part in the solution. Racism affects everyone and the task of eradicating it [isn’t] up to people of [color], but up to all of us. Racism [isn’t] conditional to one country, but is a global issue that has many different manifestations.”

“Let’s lean in, engage and stay on the line. Sign and share the petitions, confront direct or indirect racism in conversations, in the workplace and in our homes,” she urged. “Let’s educate ourselves and fight for justice however we can. They’re tough conversations to have, and you may feel uncomfortable but the consequence of going on like everything is okay, is more lives being lost. #BLM #BreonnaTaylor #AhmaudArbery #GeorgeFloyd”

Gray shared a quote from American poet and activist Cleo Wade, which said, “The voice within you that says, ‘This is not okay’ is a direct call from the basic goodness of your spirit. Pick it up. Every time. Pick it up. And stay on on the line until you figure out how to help.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA13DzSAQK5/

The beauty queen and singer used the hashtags for the Black Lives Matter movement and mentioned the names of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. All three are African Americans who have died this year in clashes with the police or white people.

A white father and son, Gregory and Travis McMichael, were arrested this May for felony murder after Arbery was shot while he was jogging in a neighborhood in Georgia.

Floyd’s death while under police custody in Minnesota has sparked protests across the United States. The cop who knelt on his neck, Derek Chauvin, was charged with murder.

Protests have also flared in Louisville, Kentucky, after Taylor, an emergency medical technician, was fatally shot in her home during a police drug raid in March. No drugs were found in the home.

After at least seven people were wounded in a protest for Taylor, the Associated Press reported that her mother Tamika Palmer released a statement calling for peaceful protests. JB

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