Actor Jesse Williams, who is known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, has decided to air his thoughts on what is happening in Baltimore with a series of brilliant tweets.
Demonstrations that erupted last Monday (April 27) stemmed from the April 12 arrest of Freddie Gray. He suffered a spinal cord injury while under police custody, which resulted in his death a week later. Police have acknowledged that there are questions surrounding Gray’s arrest, and that there is an ongoing investigation.
Williams, who is known for commenting on issues of racism and police brutality, has hit back against critics and the form of coverage the national media conducted on the Baltimore protests.
Read the full rant below:
If you don't actually care about Black people having equal protection under the law, why are you making suggestions to those who do?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
What are the critical elements that constitute a "riot" and when do riots offend you?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
If we view rioting as a mass temper tantrum expressed through violence & property damage, white sports fans do that monthly. #Tradition
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
1 group can burn & loot when a team scores less points than another but when paid public servants kill citizens, we gotta be BaggerVance?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Where are all the think pieces & coverage of the pathology of white culture every time white frustration vents violence & destruction?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
There is nothing "black" about rioting. How do you think we got all this land?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Historically riots have been tools for intimidation; destroying populations, taking land & valuables. #BlowingOffSteam #BoysWillBeBoys
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Whites rioted throughout the early 1900s, slaughtering, burning & looting entire thriving black townships, just because of the adjective.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You've watched hulking bullies w/ badges, robes & money brutalize, kill & cage human beings every yr of your entire lives & said nothing.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
…When the beaten, marinated in centuries of trauma, pain & distress, manage to muster a response, here you come, squealing; revealing.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You seem to really hate when people do "things that aren't helping" like contextualizing issues based on empirical evidence. #UghTheWorst!
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Things that "aren't helping" happen every single day though, which means you've had a million opportunities to research & contribute. #But
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You have so much to say, yet we've never seen you out here you before. Who shows up after the event & criticizes the audience's reaction?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
So tell me again, what kind of violence it is that you detest? I keep forgetting.
ToWhom? FromWhom? HowOften? For how long? InOrderToWhat?— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You want us to condemn black folks being violent against PROPERTY but you NEVER condemn police killing actual PEOPLE. #Explain #JustTry
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Thoughts, PopWrappers? Comment below.
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