India.Arie and Chrisette Michele (Harrywad/@terranativemusic/Instagram)
Singer India.Arie tweeted a lengthy open letter defending Chrisette Michele for performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration and many Twitter users trashed her for it.
In a message titled “I Stand Up for @ChriseteM,” the “Breathe” singer said she did not agree with Michele singing for Trump, but she respected her ability to choose to do so.
“Agree or disagree with Chrisette, she is A HUMAN BEING — nuanced and multi-dimensional,” Arie said. “Give her a chance to be everything that she is, and YOU take a chance to remember — you’ve made missteps too. Which is how I SEE this thing with Chrisette — a misstep. I think there is a deeper reason she decided to be there.”
On the backlash Michele received over her performance, which she defended multiple times, Arie said Twitter users should watch the way they condemn the Rich Hipster label creator.
“I’m not saying we shouldn’t say ANYTHING!” she wrote. “I AM SAYING, [LETS] LOOK AT HOW WE ARE SAYING WHAT WE SAY. Why the abuse? and the ‘Canceling Chrisette Michele in 2017?’ and all of that? Come on, guys. I think the WAY we are responding is … EXTREME — and I think the reason WHY is so extreme, is that it’s misplaced FEAR and Anger. Chrisette is a trigger for our fear — not the cause nor should she be the focus of it.
Singer Anthony David also shared his thoughts on the matter in a call to Arie, which the singer-songwriter shared in her letter.
“It’s EASIER for Black Twitter to attack one lone Black woman,” he said before admitting he would have performed, too, “and ‘shut her down’ rather than face the ‘proverbial enemy SHE met, face to face. And so I stand with her behind her and on any other side'”
On Arie’s admission about a friend who voted for Trump, Michele responded on Twitter to further clear up her decision and thank her fellow singer for the support.
. @indiaarie Unlike your friend, I didn't vote for trump. But I refuse to HATE him or anyone else. Love is greater…
— chrisette michele (@ChrisetteM) January 26, 2017
. @indiaarie …and Love is will stand tallest in the end. And that is what will always stand by me. So grateful for you sis. #Namaste 🙏🏾❤️
— chrisette michele (@ChrisetteM) January 26, 2017
Arie concluded her letter with a call to “love our sister.” Twitter, however, didn’t feel the same way and lashed out.
Come onnnn now India Arie …you joining the coon train too??? Not you!!!
— 🌬👩🏾💻NetFlex 📈 (@iLuvVisa) January 26, 2017
India Arie is not about to disturb my spirit in the name of Chrisette Michele. That woman sold out her own for a check & press
— Stephanie. (@qsteph) January 26, 2017
India Arie is vouching for Chrisette Michele?
It's like there's this suddenly public hierarchy of musicians nobody gives a damn about.
— fooler initiative (@metroadlib) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/SirRatchettness/status/824450745076482049
Ben Carson
Kanye West
Steve Harvey
Jim Brown
Ray Lewis
Warren Sapp
Chrisette Michelle…aaaaand India.Arie pic.twitter.com/zBoFiyITQf
— Rusty Redenbacher (@rustymk2) January 26, 2017
India.Arie didn’t let the negativity bother her.
So! I wrote a open letter about cyber bullying & some are attempting to bully ME 😆 Ok. I speak my truth. Always have always will.
— India.Arie (@indiaarie) January 26, 2017
Others backed the singer’s stance.
This is very important.
— Sam Johnson (@samuelj41944686) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/elysianbeautyqu/status/824435454413910016
Y'all CANNOT drag @indiaarie. She who had us embracing our blackness as kids? Nah, y'all. Stop. pic.twitter.com/9PV2s2GgpN
— Mma (@MeeYaOfuma) January 26, 2017
