By: Taren Vaughan
The list of celebrities boycotting Florida continues to grow by the day. The members of Black Hollywood have made it clear that they are going to continue to be involved in the fight for justice for slain teen Trayvon Martin. A number of Black artists have put out songs dedicated to Trayvon and some of them are even refusing to do shows in Florida anymore after the verdict. Legendary singer Stevie Wonder was one of the first musical artists to boycott the state as he told to his fans at a recent concert he was not going to perform in the state of Florida again until it got rid of the “Stand Your Ground” law.
Stevie says:
“The truth is that, for those we may have lost in the battle for justice, wherever that fits in any part of the world, we can’t bring them back. But what we can do is we can let our voices be heard. And we can vote in our various countries throughout the world for change and equality for everybody. That’s what I know we can do.
“And I know I’m not everybody. I’m just one person. I’m a human being. But from the gift that God has given me and from whatever I mean, I’ve decided today that until the “Stand Your Ground” law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again. As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world. What I do know is that people know that my heart is of love for everyone. When I say everyone, I mean everyone. And so as I said earlier, you can’t just talk about it, you gotta be about it. We can make change by coming together in the spirit of unity.”
After hearing Stevie’s words, gospel singers Tina and Erica Campbell of the gospel group “Mary Mary” have decided to follow in Stevie’s footsteps.
The sisters posted a message on their Facebook page and told their fans they will not be performing in the state of Florida anymore either.
The message reads:
We’re glad to see musicians taking a stand by boycotting the state.
And another one.
Awesome!
Now this is what I love to read.
Good! I hope the domino effect continues.
Best news I’ve heard all day.
Yes! God is moving.
Good!
Aww II’m glad to hear this. I hope more do the same.
I love it.
I am just hearing, the brilliance of the national sensation, Mary Mary, will be snuffed out in Florida as a sign of support of Stevie Wonder’s decision to boycott Florida in light of the Stand Your Ground Law. Boycotting Florida or attending several well-attended marches in protest of the recent Zimmerman verdict is not the answer we need in the here and now. Instead, we the people must embrace our voice and allow it to be heard by collaborating in our community with schools, politicians and nonprofit organizations to ensure the Zimmerman debacle never happens again to anyone or anybody despite the color of the perpetrator’s skin. It is my hope that the praying women of Mary Mary be proactive in the midst of it all by joining together with other celebrities to create a song of love, peace and acceptance so that we can be reminded that we are stronger together when we are united as One. In the alternative, I hope Mary Mary considers creating a national foundation to be used as a vehicle to give hope to the hopeless or help overcome the negativity of the naysayers, the pundits who think it is time to moveon.com and to the oppressors who point to the happenings within the African American community. Florida does not need anyone’s back, but their love, support and compassion in the chaos of the aftermath which has already began to plant seeds of anger, frustration and apathy amongst children and their parents who are looking for compassion, understanding and a voice of hope in the wilderness.