Hollywood celebrities teamed up to star in public service announcements denouncing racism and condemning when black people are “slaughtered in the streets.”
The PSA, organized by the NAACP and titled “I Take Responsibility,” stars Debra Messing, Kristen Bell, Aaron Paul, Julianne Moore, and others, many of whom apologized for their own racism and “every unchecked moment” in which they weren’t being mindful of racism.
“I take responsibility for every unchecked moment, for every time it was easier to ignore than to call it out for what it was,” the celebrities said. “Every not so funny joke. Every unfair stereotype. Every blatant injustice, no matter how big or small. Every time I remained silent. Every time I explained away police brutality or turned a blind eye. I take responsibility.”
They continued: “Black people are being slaughtered in the streets, killed in their own homes. These are our brothers and sisters, our friends, our family. We are done watching them die. We are no longer bystanders. We will not be idle. Enough is enough. I will no longer allow an unchecked moment. I will no longer allow racist, hurtful words, jokes, stereotypes — no matter how big or small to be uttered — in my presence. I will not turn a blind eye.”
The celebrities then argued that playing video games, sleeping in one’s home, going to a job, and shopping in a store should not be a “death sentence” for black people.
“Killer cops must be prosecuted. They are murderers. We can turn the tide. It is time to take responsibility. Call out hate. Step up and take action,” the video concluded.
Along with the video, the NAACP rolled out a website, www.itakeresponsibility.org, in which visitors are greeted with a prompt asking them to choose an aspect of racism that they take responsibility for and what they will do to fix it.
The website also provides ways for people to get involved with social justice organizations, including an anti-voter suppression group started by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
