Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins Share Messages of Support for Black Lives Matter Movement
Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins contributed to the conversation surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement with lengthy Instagram messages.
The couple are parents to three daughters: Willa Gray, Ada James, and Lennon Love.
On Sunday, May 31, Thomas Rhett took to Instagram to share his thoughts surrounding the protests, riots, and unrest across America following the death of George Floyd.
A post shared by ThomasRhettAkins (@thomasrhettakins) on May 31, 2020 at 9:38am PDT
"As the father of a black daughter and also two white daughters—I have struggled with what to say today. We have navigated forms of racism directly and while there is mostly overwhelming support and love for our family, sometimes there is just the opposite. Because of that fear, it can be a lot easier to choose silence, but today I’m choosing to speak,” he wrote alongside an image inscribed with Romans 12:9.
“I have no clue what it feels like to be profiled by authorities, treated negatively, or have my life threatened because of the color of my skin,” he continued. “When I witnessed the horrific murder of George and think about the mistreatment of other black men and women in America, I am heartbroken and angry. I get scared when I think about my daughters and what kind of world they will be growing up in and how my JOB as a father is to show them how to lead with love in the face of hate. To know their worth and value as not only women but human beings.”
He went on to acknowledge how he’s seen his black band and crew members feel unsafe while on the road on tour.
“I don’t believe in hate. I believe in love,” Thomas continued. “What happened to George was pure hate. We are all created by the same God. I pray for a change in heart of those hearts who have been overcome by hatred and hardened. I pray for a deeper understanding for myself and awareness of the experience of mistreatment that those of another skin color go through. I pray for the families of those who have lost their lives to violence or experienced trauma at the hand of racial oppression and injustice.
“What can we do? I ask myself this question every day. We each have to be part of the solution and we have to continue to educate ourselves, continue to support both financially and with service those organizations doing good work in our communities to overcome injustice and hatred in our country. And if you’re like me, continue to pray.”
He closed his post with a crystal-clear message on where he stands in the matter.
“So if there is any question on where I stand let me be clear—I stand with you, I stand with George and his family and all those who have faced racism,” he wrote. “I stand with my wife and my daughters. We will be fighting this fight for the rest of our lives. Rest In Peace, George. We are not letting this go.”
And Thomas isn’t the only one to speak up on the matter. His wife, Lauren Akins, did so as well, sharing the same photo in the process.
A post shared by Lauren Akins (@laur_akins) on May 31, 2020 at 9:38am PDT
“As her mother, I want her to be VERY sure that I am HER mother who stands up not only for her, but for every single person who shares her beautiful brown skin,” Lauren wrote. “I want to be her mother who raises her to know what it means to have brown skin and to be proud of it. I want to be her mother who doesn’t listen to the shaming of skin colors but instead listens to the Spirit of God who knitted every skin color together in their mother’s womb for His glory. Because the truth is: I AM HER mother who FIGHTS for her. I am her mother who celebrates not only WHO she and her two sisters are, but WHOSE they are and exactly who God created them to be.”
As she’s tried to find the words, Lauren admits that it’s been a challenge to know what to say to her daughter and how to best advocate for her.
“However, I do believe I’m being disobedient to God if I don’t speak up against injustice and fight for change. I believe if I stay silent I am betraying my brothers and sisters. I believe if I stay silent I am betraying my daughter. I believe if I stay silent I am betraying the heart of God. Don’t stay silent. Fight. Use the most powerful weapon of all: love."
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