Beyoncé Made a Statement About Ending SARS as Nigeria Continues to Protest
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Beyoncé made a statement on Instagram to bring light to the #EndSARS protests happening in Nigeria.
Bey previously got backlash for waiting so long to use her voice, when she released Black Is King, an album about celebrating all African cultures.
Forget what's going on in the U.S. for a second—across the world in Africa, citizens of Nigeria are currently protesting against SARS, the country's Special Anti-Robbery Squad designed in 1992 to deal with crimes associated with firearms and robbery. In recent years, the group has become extremely controversial for its excessive force, use of torture methods, and abuse of power, which has prompted Nigerians to make their voice heard. After receiving heat to address the issue, Beyoncé made a statement on Instagram about ending SARS.
"I am heartbroken to see the senseless brutality taking place in Nigeria," she wrote in a text post. "We have been working on partnerships with youth organizations to support those protesting for change. We are collaborating with coalitions to provide emergency healthcare, food and shelter. To our Nigerian sisters and brothers, we stand by you."
Bey also prompted her followers to visit her site for a list of organizations that can help the cause:
A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Oct 20, 2020 at 10:59pm PDT
Prior to Bey's statement, people online criticized her for waiting to say something considering the fact that she recently released her critically acclaimed visual album, Black Is King, which spoke largely about embracing African culture. (It was partially filmed in Nigeria with local talent.)
If I see any of y’all making exceptions for Beyoncé not saying shit about SARS, when she made a whole album centred around Africa. I don’t wanna hear it
— #EndSARS (@lilshawtyrue) October 16, 2020
Beyoncé hasn’t spoken out about SARS?.... you lots come collect your ‘Mama Africa’
— tamara🤍ENDSARS (@tammyokk) October 20, 2020
Beyonce literally exploits African culture for money but can’t even speak about sars 💀
— Bilouba (@NBilouba) October 16, 2020
Probably gonna get hate for this tweet but
Not that we need her but had Beyoncé acc said anything on SARS? You go on this big campaign about how Black is King but when it actually comes down to bringing justice for the African lives you love, sis is no where to be seen? 👀— End. SARS. (@MissyEstellito) October 18, 2020
Bey finally made her statement a day after Tiwa Savage, a Nigerian singer who worked with Bey on Black Is King track "Keys to the Kingdom," urged her to use her platform to make an impact. On an Instagram Live, Tiwa said:
"I was involved, recently, in a project that I was so proud of, like as an artist I was so so proud to be called to be among the few people that was involved in this project. It’s called 'Black Is King: The Gift' album. But I want to use my platform right now to call Beyoncé and the whole team that reached out to a lot of Nigerians. Nigerian artists, Nigerian producers, Nigerian video directors, dancers, creatives.
I’m calling on Beyoncé and her team, the same way they used their platform… to elevate and to show the world that 'Black Is King' and how beautiful Afrobeat and Africa our culture is. I want them to please use their voice and their platform right because the same country that birth this genre is on fire right now."
WHAT. SHE. SAID. @TiwaSavage pic.twitter.com/XkkvM5OQzE
— M (@Acupofmikey) October 15, 2020
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