J Balvin has broken his silence and declared his support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
As the music industry enters “Blackout Tuesday” in response to the death of another unarmed African-American at the hands of police, Balvin adds his voice to the growing calls for racial justice.
The Colombian reggaeton star makes a pledge “to do better” and to continue learning, and he calls on his Latino community to do the same.
Writing in Spanish and English, Balvin explains: “After taking time to speak to those close with me, I am educating myself on the deep significance and horrifying history that is the root of the #blacklivesmatter movement.”
He continues, “I appreciate that it is my responsibility as a leader in the Latino community to educate myself of the plight of Black citizens in America – to learn about their struggles and the ongoing, systemic racism they face each day; and more importantly, to learn how I can be a better ally and help change the system through my voice and my action.”
Balvin also pledges to make a donation to Colors of Change and urges fellow Latinos to side with him in the good fight: “We know as a minority ourselves, just a small part of the pain that they live in each and every day – let’s help our brothers and sisters.”
The “Mi Gente” singer joins a global chorus of music stars who’ve spoken up against human rights abuses against the black community.
Today, the music community observes #TheShowMustBePaused, or “Blackout Tuesday,” a peaceful movement launched in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other black citizens while incarcerated.
Read Balvin’s speech in full below.
As many of you know, I am a person who loves to celebrate everything that is good in this world and who tries to bring joy, love, light and happiness to the lives that I am fortunate enough to touch.
However given the circumstances facing the Black community in the United States this is not a time to provide levity and celebration.
Rather, this is a time to educate myself and my loved ones and take action. After taking time to speak to those close with me, I am educating myself on the deep significance and horrifying history that is the root of the #blacklivesmatter movement.
I pledge from this day forward…as a human, as an artist, as a Latino, as a friend…to do better. I appreciate that it is my responsibility as a leader in the Latino community to educate myself of the plight of Black citizens in America – to learn about their struggles and the ongoing, systemic racism they face each day; and more importantly, to learn how I can be a better ally and help change the system through my voice and my action.
I urge the Latino community to join me – we know as a minority ourselves, just a small part of the pain that they live in each and every day – let’s help our brothers and sisters. As a sign of my commitment, I’m taking action and making a donation to Colors of Change to support their fight for racial equality.
