For the next 24 hours I’m going to be offline. I’m joining the Music Industry protest regarding the murder of Mr George Floyd caused by a police officer during his arrest. Derek Chauvin, the Police officer knelt on Mr Floyd’s neck during the arrest for almost nine minutes. Mr Floyd died. The Police Officer and his colleagues who were present have been sacked and Mr Chauvin is charged with Third degree murder. The family and protestors are demanding first degree murder. Black Lives Matter.

Although this is happening across the Pond, the impact reverberates here. There are protests in various Cities and the Music Industry will halt for 24 hour in protest. The hashtag is #TheShowMustBePaused. I am so glad to know that black lives matter in the music industry and that the show must be paused to take stock.

This situation reminded me of sitting in the Court listening to the inquest of Kingsley Burrell who died in police custody in Birmingham, UK. 2011. I also recall in secondary school hearing conversations of black youths who had died at the hands of Police. Things like this should not be happening.

The depth of our skin tone does not mean we are dispensable. We are not unintelligent because we are darker. We feel. We are human. God made us all equal. Mr Floyd is one of many who have been killed by people employed to protect and serve. Black lives matter and people should not get away with treating us, or any fellow human for that matter, unjustly.

This matter cuts real deep for me.

#TheShowMustBePaused #BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatterInTheMusicIndustry