Here are a few views from some artists that I really respect re/ the recent violence that seems to be filling our headlines. Of course I realize there are no simple answers, but I think these guys views are heading in the right directrion:
Atlanta entertainer, Usher shared his thoughts on police brutality, how he hopes his own art can be used to raise awareness In 2016. “’Chains’ to me was that opportunity to use my platform for something other than wealth,” he told attendees. He used the word “courageous” to describe Beyonce for releasing her viral music video “Formation,” too. The controversial release, which features Beyonce lying on a sinking police car, has been critiqued for being “anti-police.” “Ridicule comes with reality,” Usher said when asked what he thought about those critiques. He, like Beyonce, also stressed that he is not anti-police. The singer urged students to use their voices to raise awareness for social issues, too. “As long as you have the ability to influence one person, that’s all you need,” he said. “It’s a choice. It’s a matter of you making [these issues] a priority.” Usher told the audience he hopes he is raising respectful young men who “understand the reality of things potentially being taken to a level where they eventually lose control.” He said it is important that they understand that being disrespectful or arrogant towards authority figures can potentially put them in a dangerous situation. Usher said he believes it’s important to open the lines of communication between police and the community so that both sides are able to effectively voice their fears and concerns and work towards a resolution.
Between the piña colada’s and friends in low places, Garth Brooks used his signature headset mic to address the recent tragedy in Dallas, which left five police officers dead. Flanked by longtime guitarist Johnny Garcia in an NYPD baseball cap, he said people had been asking him for a statement regarding the shooting. “We have the same statement [as for] what happened in Orlando down in Florida, or what happened over in Paris at a concert,” he said. “People, we’ve got to love one another. That’s what it’s all about. That’s our only hope.” He then dedicated “People Loving People” to the Texas city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_RjIcTbBU0
U2’S Bono has tweeted a message of support to the victims of the Bastille Day massacre after it emerged he was caught up in the terror attack and had to be rescued from a Nice restaurant by anti-terrorist police. The 56-year-old U2 lead singer was on the terrace of ‘La Petite Maison’, next to the seafront in the French city when mass murderer Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel struck. The musician has a home near the Promenade des Anglais. A message has since been posted to U2’s Twitter account which reads: ‘Love is bigger than anything in its way – Bono, Edge, Adam, Larry.