Dwayne Johnson is the latest celebrity to get involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.
On Thursday, he posted a powerful speech on Twitter, following the tragic death of George Floyd’s death.
While celeb involvement has backfired for some — Lea Michele landed herself in hot water and the reception to Kacey Musgraves has been lukewarm — there’s been lots of praise for The Rock.
Just after midnight on Thursday, the actor took to Twitter to share an eight-minute clip of his thoughts on the current state of America.
More specifically, he called for a “compassionate leader” to help “America rise.”
He was a black security guard who was tragically killed when officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for over eight minutes.
All four officers involved have since been charged.
This is the powerful question he repeatedly asks throughout the rest of the video.
“Where is our leader at this time when our country is down on its knees?”
“Where is our compassionate leader who’s going to step up to our country who’s down on its knees, and extend a hand and say, ‘You stand up, stand up with me, stand up with me because I got you. I hear you, I’m listening to you.”
“And you have my word that I’m going to do everything in my power, until my dying day, my last breath, to do everything I can to create the change that is needed, to normalize equality because Black lives matter.’ Where are you?”
Last week, the President was criticized for spending time in a bunker when protests were going on outside the White House.
However, he later told Fox News host, Brian Kilmeade, that he was only there to inspect it.
He then added that he visited the bunker “two or three times, all for inspection.”
Regardless, the move was highly criticized, as Johnson alluded to in his video.
“Because here’s what happens when you extend a hand and you reach out to Americans who are in pain and they stand with you. Here’s what happens: the entire country stands and rises as well.”
“It’s that same compassionate leader who has to come back and readdress the country, to give important context, to give important perspective on the comments that were just made.”
“We must become the leaders we are looking for. I’ll ask it one more time: Where are you? Where is that compassionate leader who steps up and takes accountability for his country and all the people in our country?” Johnson said later.
Ever since the actor posted his powerful message, fans have been rallying behind the star online.
They’ve done so with words of praise and encouragement.
In order to get that change, some even called upon Dwayne for President:
“#DwayneJohnson2020. Pick America up from Rock Bottom,” another added.
This peaceful protest took place in Calgary, Canada.
Another user shared a peaceful protest taking place in New York.
Some even criticized the star for going political in the first place.
One wrote: “I will never buy nor watch another movie with you in it.”
What do you think of what The Rock said in the video? Are you for or against celebs getting involved in politics?
Be sure to let us know in the comments!
Filed Under:
- News
- Online Communities
- Celebrities & Entertainment News
NEXT ARTICLE
