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Gaga gets called out

Several celebrities are speaking out against Saturday’s white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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The protest stirred anger and frustration upon several musicians, including Dave Matthews Band, Lorde, John Legend, and Lady Gaga. Rolling Stone magazine shared with us the criticism that several of these stars are placing on Donald Trump’s refusal to condemn white supremacy.

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Dave Matthews Band, which started in the Charlottesville area in the early nineties, expressed their thoughts of the incident with sharing, “Like so many our hearts are broken. Our thoughts go out to the families and victims of these unbelievable acts. This is not the Charlottesville we know and love.”

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Many took to social media in the aftermath of the rally, during which a woman was killed in a violent act where a white nationalist rammed his vehicle into counter-protester. Among those who used social media as an outlet were several celebrities, using their fame to express their reactions to a larger following base. Lorde tweeted, “I just want to say I'm so, so sorry. All white people are responsible for this system's thrive and fall. We have to do better. I'm sorry. Being a privileged white non-US citizen, I feel like tweeting to reinforce how horrific POC treatment here is unnecessary & inappropriate."

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Artist, Lady Gaga, expressed her frustration towards Trump and his failure to denounce hate groups following the the Charlotteville rallies. Her frustration may stem from Trump’s seemingly reluctant attitude toward speaking out against the Charlottesville white supremacist groups. Following the incident, Trump stated that violence should be prevented on “many sides” without actually reprimanding the white supremacist groups for their actions. "I pray a true leader will rise to expel hatred from America. This is not US! This is Anti-American," Gaga tweeted. "I know we are not created to hate each other, but to help & love. [Trump] too afraid to do the right thing cuz you will lose votes? Doesn't matter, younger generation has the answer to #BeKind."

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The “Perfect Illusion” singer also took to social media to speak out for the “non-racist white community.” Gaga reached out to the Black Community with the tweet, “For the Black Community, tell us ways the non-racist white community who loves you can do better to influence the country?” Gaga ended the tweet with hashtag, “#HowWeDoBetter.” However, this tweet caused backlash from “Insecure” actress, Amanda Seales, who is known for her activism and vocal criticism of race relations in America. Seales took offense to Gaga’s inquiry, highlighting that the Black community have no responsibility to act as informants for the majority. Seales followed with her tweet, “It is not every black person's role to educate white folks on how to fix their racist system. I'm appalled at any1 who suggests it is.”

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Seales went on to use Instagram as another platform to speak out against Gaga’s statement. Seales said, “[The Black Community is] not silent. If you don't know what is needed YOU HAVE NOT BEEN LISTENING.”

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Lady Gaga has remained silent following Seales’ comments.

8/22/2017

By Jacqueline Dumont, Managing Editor

and Kym Drapcho, Arts & Entertainment Editor

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