Don Lemon used his platform on Saturday (May 30) to call out Hollywood leaders, musicians and stars for inaction following nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“What about Hollywood? Strangely quiet,” the CNN Tonight host said as he spoke to Rev. William Barber as protests took place in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York and countless other cities across the country.
“I’ve seen them on Twitter, I see them, ‘Oh, I’m loving what Don Lemon’s doing’ … But they gotta do more than that,” he continued. “Why aren’t they helping these young people? These young people are out there standing on a platform at the edge of an abyss by themselves.”
Lemon noted that stars had tweeted and texted him saying they enjoyed his work on television but had been silent in regards to being active.
“Yes, I’m calling you out, and you can be mad at me all you want. And what they’re doing, you’re sitting there and watching TV and you’re bitching about it … Get on television or do something and help these young people instead of sitting in your mansions and doing nothing. And have some moral courage and stop worrying about your reputation and your brand.”
“By me calling you out by name, that doesn’t mean I’m calling you out,” Lemon added. “That means I love you Ellen, that mean I love you Oprah. And I know they give millions of dollars to charity every year but I mean your visibility in helping speak out for these people, these young kids. That’s what I’m talking about. I want to see you Tyler Perry, I want to see you Drake, I want to see you, my friend Anthony Anderson. I want to see you Diddy, out there, doing this. I want to see you out there fighting for this.”
Lemon’s speech was a continuation of his earlier monologue when he called on millionaires, billionaires, civic leaders and stars to lend their support to the individuals on the ground in protests across the country.
Killer Mike, T.I., Rihanna and others in the Hip Hop community have spoken up about Floyd’s death and the subsequent protests. J. Cole was on the ground in Fayetteville, North Carolina, walking and speaking with protestors.
Rihanna Angrily Demands Answers Regarding George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery & Breonna Taylor
Numerous city leaders nationwide announced curfews in the wake of protesting to help curtail potential looting and violence. It is unclear if the protests and curfews will continue into the week but to Lemon’s point, the eyes of many will be upon celebrities to be more vocal in regards to what happens next.
Don Lemon isn’t a journalist as much as he and everyone else CNN is in the business of propaganda. Propaganda is not journalism. It’s funny how people like Don Lemon amongst others (Rachel Maddow as well) will claim to not only be journalists, but also bipartisan. I have more respect for someone who lets me know where they stand. Instead of lying to my face while they wait for me to turn my back. But hey, that’s the democrat socialist way. Let’s perpetuate more violence and set race relations back further than Obama did.
Obama is da GOAT Unpopular fool!!!!!
Obama is shit.
You are right. Just like Fox News and the conservative fascist way. Both groups are clowns. As are you. We know you are a plant. We see through you.
This is a Russian bot or a racist white person trying sow division.
That’s pretty original. Got nothing to say do you go to that. I’ll give you some advice. Neither party has any real interest in sending anyone here to be a plant. My Russian is terrible, and if you go through a lot of things I’ve said on here, I’m also a terrible racist. Just admit you don’t like what I said cause I’m an independent thinker. The color of my skin is irrelevant. There’s enough division in here and in the mainstream media. My bad though tough guy. Wouldn’t want to lead your sheep astray by pointing out truths. Also, you smell like white guilt.
And another thing. White progressive liberals make the normal white person look bad. They hate themselves so much, but I tell you what. They don’t really care anymore about black Americans than MOST; NOT ALL black Americans (had to get in my Jesse Lee Peterson bag). If I’m going to be honest Don Lemon don’t care either. You can see how self-loathing he isZ Some betas. Just like the MN governor. BETA
Where are all the rappers? The ones who have been saying fight the power, f the police, rapping about the day the brothas took over. Where are ice cube, dr dre, snoop dogg, ti, killer mike, kendrick lamar, jayz, nas? These guys have been talking about resisting oppression for decades! They act like super heroes not afraid of shit and cant even take part in the movement of a generation? For that matter where are all the NBA players always speaking out against the system. Lebron acts like hes the second coming of muhammad ali, and hes nowhere to be seen. All phonies, all cowards. Man I miss pac right now.
Where are all the rappers? The ones who have been saying fight the power, f the police, rapping about the day the brothas took over. Where are ice cube, dr dre, snoop dogg, ti, killer mike, kendrick lamar, jayz, nas? These guys have been talking about resisting oppression for decades! They act like super heroes not afraid of shit and cant even take part in the movement of a generation? For that matter where are all the NBA players always speaking out against the system. Lebron acts like hes the second coming of muhammad ali, and hes nowhere to be seen. All phonies, all cowards. Man I miss pac right now.
Ti and Killer Mike are out there. Did you not see the Major of Atlanta News conference.
Loretta, you’re right and no I did not see the conference. I apologize. Much love to TI, Killer Mike, Anna Kendrick, Ariana Grande and every other celebrity who is out there protesting and risking their well being to fight for what is right.
You understand how these celebrities operate, don’t you? They have their managers, publicists arrange a luxury vehicle to drive them to a safe spot, they get out and take a few pictures or video footage of them “protesting” and they go home. They are leeches and they suck us all dry with their constant attention stunts. Trust me. I worked on a project with Game and a few other rappers who did these charity appearances in poor black neighborhoods. It’s all for the camera and they burn rubber as soon as they yell “cut!”.
LBJ spoke out as well. And I’m sure will continue.
He released a statement from his mansion lol. If he cared half as much as he says he does hed be out there. Lbj is a coward…on and off the court.
Yeah man Pac would be out there on the front lines protesting with the people. We need a Pac right now in the hip hop community.
Don Lemon is literally being fucked by a white man.
Lmao he sure is isn’t he?
Drake is Canadian fuck he care for? In one breath y’all asking these people to help protestors out and in the next Justin Timberlake being condemned and called a White Supremacist for doing the same shit.
Word. Where are all your heroes now?
I think it would be more productive to big up people that are doing something.
Yo, I fucking hate Don Lemon gay ass, but he right on this one. Tell Drake to suck a dick. Culture vulture that has never stepped up on issues. Human Rights over your wack ass rhymes.
Black billionaires unite buy up used car lots, vacant lots, pass out titles & deeds take the hood back 10 milli buys a lot of cars & property in the hood donate to single mothers elderly, 10 milli builds lots of basketball tennis courts play grounds internet cafes/schools support the people don’t always gotta be about profit if you can buy a few blocks buy em not a Bentley and raise the poor up, land, cars, strip malls at an all time low when they burnt buy back the blocks black Wall Street 2.0
Rich 1st. Black 2nd
millionaire calls out millionaires. thanks don
Is this guy COINTELPRO?
Fun fact: CNN is owned by a certain Jeff Zucker. He is a joo.
To be fair what isn’t owned by joos at this point
Yep. Fox News is part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire. He is a joo. See how they control both left and right and pit us against each others, divide and conquer!
True dat. Ain’t it funny we are told about white supremacy, yet people who own the banks, big tech, media, hollywood etc are not white. And the media always blames white people etc yet we are told whites are in control. LOL.
I’m as curious about the silence of our cultural icons as Don Lemon is. The only reason why I’ve held back on saying anything about them, is the fact that they may be strategizing to be the face of the movement when it comes to facing the authorities, law enforcement, justice system and politicians who are charged with enforcing the change people want to see. I could be wrong but the short time ahead will reveal all.
New cultural icons are needed. Don Lemon is hardly an icon. He doesn’t report news as much as he spreads propaganda mixed with his opinion. That is not journalism.
Hey Don, why don’t YOU get from behind your desk and broadcast your show from the Apollo instead of hiding in CNN studios?
well said. they all really have no self awareness of the difference between their words and actions. “do as I say, not as I do.”
Anybody who uses black culture but won’t stand up for it is whack ass fuck
Its funny. like 3 month ago White People were told to not talk about black issues because they dont understand the struggle
how long before the remembrance concert? the intellectual property thief drake can perform hotline bling and diddy can perform all or nothing? these men are rich, and greedy.
Celebs and regulars are pretty vocal about the case. Have yet to hear one of them condemn the riots, the violence and the murders though. Everyone, black and white condemned the cop but none of them calls out the rioters and looters. So who are really the bad guys, here???
The bad guys would still be the cops to took the lives of innocent people. You can always fix the aftermath of a riot or looting. But, you can’t bring a person back.
What are you even saying?
African Americans have the largest percentage of homophobic people in the country and always vote against gay politicians and gay policies. Yet he is too chicken to say anything about that.
Shoot them all.