Despite being inaugurated last Friday, the proceedings behind Donald Trump’s entry into the White House continues to draw backlash, including for all those involved. Example: Chrisette Michele.
Throughout the week, the singer has done interviews explaining her decision for performing at one of Trump’s official inaugural balls. On Wednesday, Michele appeared on The Breakfast Club and explained that she felt like she “had to do” the performance in order to show the cabinet “what ‘us’ looked like.” Despite the mass criticism against her, Michele received positive words from fellow singer India Arie, who posted an open letter defending Michele.
Despite saying that she would “NEVER” have done it herself, Arie mentioned how her friend is being “abused by strangers” for a “misstep” due to people’s “misplaced FEAR and Anger.”
“Social media is a powerful tool, that becomes a weapon, when people start treating each other as little more, than the little blue screen in front of them. Basic truth: When we see people as less than human, it gives us permission to treat each other as less than human. THIS IS THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE FACING AMERICA AT THIS TIME,” the singer, who is a longtime friend of Michele, explained in the Twitter post, titled “I Stand Up for @ChriseteM.”
“IF WE CAN JUST FOCUS OUR ATTENTION WHERE IT MATTERS, WE CAN AFFECT CHANGE.” The full message can be read here.