Following the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, many have felt compelled to stand up in the face of racial injustice — a systemic injustice that has claimed the lives and shattered the safety of black people for years. Even now, disgraced police officer Derek Chauvin’s fate remains uncertain, with questions on whether George Floyd’s murderer will end up doing significant jail time to begin with. 

Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Amidst all the pain that these killings have caused, the entire hip-hop community has been mobilizing. Several rappers have already issued statements; some have taken to the streets alongside the people to demand justice. For , the scars of police brutality run deep. In March of 2014, Denzel’s brother Treon Johnson was killed after sustaining fatal injuries at the hands of police officers, who tased and pepper-sprayed Johnson into a state of sepsis. Yesterday, Denzel took to Twitter to share a powerful reflection on current events. 

“After looking at most of your comments in my last few posts about the current situation happening in the U.S.A,” begins Denzel, addressing his fans and supporters. “It seems a lot of you are Extremely insensitive, Extremely Ignorant, and most likely come from places where you don’t have to face the prejudices that my people face on a daily basis. To you I’m just an entertainer and I’m suppose to dance for your support of my music and craft but now I’m here to say FUCK ALL THAT. We are living in one of the worst times in America.”

“It’s even got to the point that I don’t even want to consider myself as an American, most people don’t treat us as Americans let alone human,” he continues. “Most of you say there’s no reason to riot but in our defense there’s no reason to be killing my people. The tension in the United States has got me at a crossroads and I’m here to tell you it’s either you With Me or Against Me. I don’t agree with senseless violence and that goes for both ends… I advocate for doing the right thing.” 

Our thoughts go out to Denzel Curry, and everyone hurting as a result of systemic racism and police brutality. Rest in peace to George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.