Some of the biggest names in the modeling industry are stepping up. They are discussing the meaning of Black Lives Matter, the beauty of chocolate skin and the outrage against systemic racism.
- Winne Harlow
“#blacklivesmatter All flowers matter, but you wouldn’t over water one and let the other dry out would you?
It’s true that all lives SHOULD matter. But it’s clear that some lives have mattered less for a very long time. So when you say “all lives matter” in response, you’re saying the way things are is okay with you and that is a problem.”
Photo and caption:: Winnie Harlow Instagram Post
- Tyra Banks
“Respect is due to the legacy of ALL the beautiful, black Americans that have been slain in vain. In addition to George Floyd, say Ahmaud’s Arbery’s name, Philando Castille’s name, Eric Garner’s name, Sandra Bland’s name, Michael Brown’s name…Sadly, we all know this list goes on and on.
This is a matter of humanity and basic human kindness and decency. We must manifest empathy and compassion, justice and unity. We must take pause for the souls and families of those who have been taken from us.
The injustice of all of this breaks my heart. Change is overdue and the overt racism and senseless brutality must end.
This is EVERYONE’s problem and EVERYONE’s fight. We must find peace together.
Stay loud.
Stay safe.”
Photo and caption:: Tyra Banks Instagram Post
- Jasmine Tookes
“We deserve to live in peace✊?I LOVE the color of my skin, it makes me STRONG, it’s who I am! It’s so heartbreaking that because of this BEAUTIFUL color, lives are constantly being threatened and taken away in our community ? #justiceforgeorgefloyd#blacklivesmatter”
Photo and caption:: Jasmine Tookes Instagram Post
- Gigi Hadid
“Enraged. Sickened. Heartbroken. But never surprised. This happens way too often – and the videos that go viral are not isolated events. It seems that only when caught on camera are bigots & MURDERERS even getting “investigated” or fired .. unfortunately, the only way things will start changing is if all these racist, ignorant, monsters (badge &/or not) have to face the consequences- behind bars. && it’s not only an issue with black men being killed by cops … it’s an issue every time we see them being treated, in even non-violent situations, VERY CLEARLY differently than many very-high-risk incidents involving white men; it’s an issue that the President is making dangerous public statements about enforcing the shooting of protesters -rightfully angered by another UNNEEDED KILLING of another black person & DEMANDING JUSTICE WHERE IT IS 100% NEEDED- while exactly 28 days earlier, he tweeted about white protesters, who stood ARMED WITH GUNS protesting a WORLDWIDE HEALTH PANDEMIC as “very good people” urging the Governor to “See them, talk to them, make a deal.” ?????????? This is, too, an issue about the “Karen’s” we see filmed weekly- using someone’s race, as a point to try and push their agenda, while calling the police in situations where their lives are clearly not actually in danger at all….. they’re just plain f***ing racist. EVERY. TIME. feels more disheartening and nauseating because our cries for the Government and Americans to do better seem unheard; but even when we feel like what we do isn’t enough or can’t help, we have to do more. Keep signing petitions, making calls to demand justice, speaking out (this is not just if you have a big platform- it starts in your homes and communities), and fighting to make a difference for every life that has been wrongly taken or effected by THE PANDEMIC OF RACISM. THIS IS ABOUT BEING AGAINST EVERY SENSELESS ACT OF DISCRIMINATION THAT BURDENS THIS COUNTRY.”
Photo and caption:: Gigi Hadid Instagram Post
- Bella Hadid
“Rest in Peace #GeorgeFloyd . this has got to stop. it’s hard to watch a video so foul. It’s hard to think that this is still happening. but it is reality. And These police officer need to be accountable to the maximum degree for their obviously disgusting and horrific actions. I feel so sick, sad and sorry for George Floyd and his family. There is nothing anybody could say to me that makes this encounter even remotely ok. He was a peace activist and a man of respect and promise. There is no reason for anyone to be handled like that especially someone that is so unaggressive. Please spread this message. We can’t forget his name #GeorgeFloyd thank you always to @shaunking for the flow of information.”
Photo and caption:: Bella Hadid Instagram Post
- Beverly Johnson
“Never Forget?
Our Black Brothers & Sisters will not have died in vain..A Change is going to come!”
Image & caption credit: Beverly Johnson Instagram Post
- Gisele Bündchen
“My parents taught me to always treat others the same way I’d like to be treated.
That the moment you think you are better than other people… you are nothing.
That no matter what happens, you should always choose love, kindness and compassion.
My whole life, I have always done everything I can to try and live by these principles.
No one should ever have to ensure the prejudice and unimaginable violence that Geroge Floyd, and so many others, experienced because of the color of their skin.
It is absurd. It is unacceptable. It has to stop.
We are all human beings. It’s time that we all unite and stand up against violence and racism.
What if we treated each other the way as we like to be treated? What if we chose to be loving, kind and compassionate to our brothers and sisters? It would be a very different world and a far better one than the world we are living in right now.
I pray we can open our hearts and start loving and supporting one another.”
Photo and caption:: Gisele Bündchen Instagram Post
- Connar Franklin
“I have always been scared to speak out on issues that are going on in our country because I didn’t want to sound stupid for saying something incorrectly or make people mad. So, I used that as an excuse to be silent and stand for nothing. In the last few years, I’ve made it a goal to become more educated, learn, and ask myself why I think certain things. This has changed my opinions and views on a lot of things. I realized while I’ve never hated or mistreated people of color, certain mindsets and the unawareness I had contributed to the problem. I worked on checking myself, becoming aware, and changing those things, but I still stayed silent. That is wrong. I’m not perfect. I’m still learning. And I’m going to continue to further educate myself, and I encourage you to do the same. I don’t know everything, but I do know as a 22-year-old white woman, I can honestly say: It’s a privilege to learn about racism instead of experiencing it my whole life. It’s a privilege that when I’m pulled over I don’t have to be afraid that I might be encountering a racist cop. It’s a privilege I don’t have to riot for justice or for people to listen to my hurt and hear me. It’s a privilege that I don’t have to be scared when my brother or dad goes for a jog like they do every day. It’s a privilege that I don’t have to think about how my little nieces and nephews being bullied at school because of their skin color. It’s a privilege I don’t have to worry about my boyfriend looking suspicious to a cop because he is wearing an oversized hoodie and baggy sweatpants. It’s a privilege that as a teenager doing stupid things, that we’ve all done, like run around in an unbuilt house I didn’t have to worry about getting shot. The list could go on forever, but the bottom line is: My life is full of privileges because I am white. Privileges I was unaware of until I started to listen and became aware and educated. It’s never too late to become aware, educated, take responsibility for our part, and CHANGE. We can’t wait for “somebody else” to change a problem that we have contributed to.”
Photo and caption:: Connar Franklin Instagram Post
- Adriana Lima
“WE the people that must make the change – it must be ALL of us.
In each action, in our own communities. WE are responsible. WE must speak up when we see wrongs happening. WE must do better.
Photo and caption:: Adriana Lima Instagram Post
- Naomi Campbell
“I don’t have the words. I’m sick and tired of this, tired of being sad about our people dying needlessly. Harassed and humiliated, in these challenging times, I thought we could come to together, but it seems like this Coronavirus has bought out more racism in a major way… where does it end? I’m black and I’m proud #JUSTICEFORFLOYD ???. MAY HE REST IN POWER ??”
Photo and caption:: Naomi Campbell Instagram Post
