In light of the recent tragic deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, the two Black men who were fatally shot by police officers this week in Louisiana and Minnesota, and the five police officers who were killed by a sniper in Dallas, Texas on Thursday [July 7], Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét now join many other artists who have spoken up about the recent tragedies that have taken place in America this week.
With a song dedicated to the recent violence, Grande joins Monét on their new release, “Better Days.” Both singers shared a snippet of their latest collaboration on Instagram with heartfelt captions. The “Bang Bang” singer wrote, “during this challenging time, we have to remember that the only way we will progress is if the overruling force is #Love. ‘Music is a universal language that all of us can feel regardless of color lines, gender, sexuality, age, race, religion…. it unifies us. We believe we can not fight hate with hate, only love. Just as we can not fight darkness with more darkness. Only Light.’ Too many precious lives were taken from us this week, this month, this year.”
She then concluded her post by stating the names of those who lost their lives this week by writing, “Rest in peace #AltonSterling. Rest in peace #PhilandoCastile #BlackLivesMatter. And the police that were peacefully guarding the #BlackLivesMatter rally in Dallas…. Rest in peace. #LorneAhrens, #MichaelKrol, #MichaelJSmith, #BrentThompson & #PatrickZamarripa.”
Monét shared a similar message on her Instagram account, where she expressed her thoughts and emotions on the current ongoing situations that continue to occur in America. She admitted, “I’m heartbroken by all of the recent tragedies the came as a result of hatred, racism and injustice,” she noted. “Im (sic) also sad at how numb some of us are to it, because it is far too common! This is not a video game or a movie you’re witnessing on your screens! This is our unfortunate REALITY! When I think about how I feel, the word confused comes to mind…So today we just want to try and help in one of the ways we know how!”
“To all of the lives taken pointlessly, we will not let you be forgotten,” Victoria added. “You have sparked change in this world with your angel wings. Rest In Peace. Stay strong and know that better days are coming…”
