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Drake posts emotional open letter after shooting death of Alton Sterling
The rapper voices concerns about his fears and safety of living in America
Drake is one of the latest celebrities using his platform to speak out about the shooting death of Alton Sterling, the 37-year-old who was shot and killed by a police officer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
On Wednesday, the Canadian rapper posted an open letter on Instagram expressing his gratitude, but also his fears as a black man living in America. The letter goes on to express Drake’s initial reaction after watching the video of the killing, which left him feeling “disheartened, emotional and truly scared.”
“It’s impossible to ignore that the relationship between black and brown communities and law enforcement remains as strained as it was decades ago,” The statement continues.
“No one begins their life as a hashtag. Yet the trend of being one continues.”
In the conclusion of his letter, Drake addresses his concerns for the safety of his friends, family and “any human being that could fall victim to this pattern.”
As the letter was being posted, another video of an officer-related shooting emerged on Facebook. Philando Castile, a 32-year-old cafeteria supervisor, was shot during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. Castile was the 508th person killed by a police officer this year.
Read the open letter below.
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