Twitter is giving no mercy to Black celebrities who aren’t speaking up about the controversial shooting death of Mike Brown, and subsequent protests that have followed. Not that it’s their responsibility to do so, but social media just needs a leader with lots of followers to get the word out.
In the week since 18-year-old Brown, a college-bound student due to start school two days later, was gunned down by a cop, there have been rappers, actors, and other public figures weighing in on the subject.
St. Louis native Nelly advocated peace among protestors in Ferguson, Mo., J. Cole recorded a song and visited the city to pay respects to Brown, and others have used social media to lend their support. Meanwhile, the ones who are quiet are getting called out.
Brown’s shooting is a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for celebrities. No matter which side they stand on, the slander will be imminent. For whatever reason it seems that Twitter holds them to a higher standard (check President Obama’s mentions for more examples).
Hit the gallery to see 10 people who have been called out for keeping quiet about Ferguson.
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Photo: YouTube
photo: WENN.com
Michael Jordan
Mr. Jordan is mum about controversial topics, especially involving race. He did admit to being racist towards white people recently, not good enough?
Pharrell
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Skateboard P is “Happy” right now, and probably pretty busy. He’s also been dragged on Twitter before, maybe that’s why he’s quiet.
photo: WENN.com
Kanye West
https://twitter.com/trippywayne/statuses/501479160536367104
Yeezy can really dig his teeth deep in a rant about fashion, and such. In 2005, he famously announced” George Bush doesn’t care about Black people” in regards to Hurricane Katrina. Today, he’s “keeping up with the Kardashians.”
Jay Z
Hovito (and Mrs. Hovito) are currently promoting the ski-mask-friendly criminal facade that goes along with the “On the Run” theme. No time for Ferguson just yet.
Lebron James
The public must want King James to speak out because he and the Miami Heat players tributed Trayvon Martin last year. Give him time, maybe he’ll surprise you.
Drake
Drizzy got a lap dance from Nick Minaj. His head is in another place right now.
Dr. Dre
Dre doesn’t really speak about anything that often though, including his own business.
