Kanye West started a massive social media conversation about racism on Wednesday (April 25) after he tweeted a slew of messages in support of President Donald Trump, who has often leaned toward white supremacy during his campaign and presidency.
John Legend, who with his wife Chrissy Teigen has been outspoken against Trump and his beliefs, posted his own string of tweets in response without mentioning West’s name directly.
“Far too many people don’t have the luxury of closing their eyes and ears. They feel it in their lives and can’t act like what they see and know doesn’t exist,” he wrote.
“I love that great, brilliant artists have the power to imagine a better future. But artists can’t be blind to the truth,” he continued.
He ended his rant by retweeting a Google ad he did, because he needs “a break from this shit.” See the full thread below.
I imagine there’s some comfort in imagining a future without racism and projecting that onto the present. Thinking if we just deny the truth, it doesn’t exist. If history is erased, we don’t have to deal with its consequences. However…
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
Far too many people don’t have the luxury of closing their eyes and ears. They feel it in their lives and can’t act like what they see and know doesn’t exist.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
They know their family was destroyed by deportation or incarceration. They know their loved one was denied safe harbor because of their religion. They know their son or daughter was shot because their skin color evoked fear
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
They see the statistics about black applications for real estate or loans or employment being turned away because their name was Jamal and not James
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
I love that great, brilliant artists have the power to imagine a better future. But artists can’t be blind to the truth.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
I love that great, brilliant artists have the power to imagine a better future. But artists can’t be blind to the truth.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
The defining trait of Trump’s campaign and political profile was his embrace of white supremacy. He made it clear every time he spoke. Some serious cognitive dissonance to ignore that for the other x% you might find appealing. I guess I agree with >1% of anyone’s thoughts though
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
Anyway, y’all need to come to Montgomery and see this memorial
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018
And I’mma retweet this ad because I need a break from this shit https://t.co/m7m4n8rcAE
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2018