Following the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man killed in a police incident in Baton Rouge on Tuesday (July 5), Drake has penned a powerful statement mourning the man's death and calling for change.
In attempts to open what he calls an "open and honest dialogue," the Canadian rap hero took to his Instagram Wednesday, writing, "I am grateful to be able to call America my second home. Last night when I saw the video of Alton Sterling being killed it left me feeling disheartened, emotional, and truly scared. I woke up this morning with a strong need to say something."
Drake goes on to write: "It's impossible to ignore that the relationship between black and brown communities and law enforcement remains as strained as it was decades ago. No one begins their life as a hashtag. Yet the trend of being reduced to one continues."
You can read his full message below.
Sterling was fatally shot outside a Louisiana convenience store early Tuesday. The shooting was partially captured on video, showing him being confronted by two white officers. He was pinned to the ground in the altercation and shot multiple times in the chest and back, with the video leaking online soon after and sparking public outcry.
In attempts to open what he calls an "open and honest dialogue," the Canadian rap hero took to his Instagram Wednesday, writing, "I am grateful to be able to call America my second home. Last night when I saw the video of Alton Sterling being killed it left me feeling disheartened, emotional, and truly scared. I woke up this morning with a strong need to say something."
Drake goes on to write: "It's impossible to ignore that the relationship between black and brown communities and law enforcement remains as strained as it was decades ago. No one begins their life as a hashtag. Yet the trend of being reduced to one continues."
You can read his full message below.
Sterling was fatally shot outside a Louisiana convenience store early Tuesday. The shooting was partially captured on video, showing him being confronted by two white officers. He was pinned to the ground in the altercation and shot multiple times in the chest and back, with the video leaking online soon after and sparking public outcry.