Cher has apologized for a tweet about the Derek Chauvin trial in the murder of George Floyd that set Twitter ablaze Friday after she centered herself as a white savior, and Black folks weren’t having it.
In the since-deleted tweet, the singer, who’s known for hits like “Believe” and “Turn Back Time,” raged on the Bird app, “Was talking With Mom & She Said ‘I Watched Trial Of Policeman Who Killed George Floyd,& Cried.’ I Said, ‘Mom, I Know This Is Gonna Sound CRAZY, But.. I Kept Thinking …..Maybe If I’d Been There,…I Could’ve Helped.”
Immediately, social media erupted, reported CNN.
It’s not harsh. You can empathize, but this is a fantasy. People are reacting strongly because they just watched hours of testimony from people who were there and did plead for his life. It would be naive to think police would have become less combative if she were there.
— Dianne Morales stan account (@_Kristiana_) April 3, 2021
If the fire fighter EMS who tried to intervene didn’t succeed, you sure had no chance. What a post!! Mindboggling. Do you think you have some kind of magical power? Police would not allow anyone to interfere in their business.
— Karynne Summars (@Karynne_Summars) April 3, 2021
Some of her fellow white women tried explaining to the 74-year old just why her posts were problematic and pleaded with her to step away from her privilege to see the other side.
You’ve done a lot of good in this world. We as white women just need to be careful that we don’t make ourselves the star of the story. I’m sure you didn’t intend that, but it can come across that way. Who knows? Maybe w/ the power of celebrity, He would’ve taken his knee off.
— Cathy Coleman (@Catherama) April 3, 2021
We know you always mean well at the end of the day, babe.
But to the Black community, when read, it comes off as them NEEDING a white person to come save them once again. When in reality, they should have the basic right to exist, like you and I. That’s why it caused upset.
— m a r i s s a
(@AHEART0FSTONE) April 3, 2021
Still, others saw no harm in Cher’s statement and offered their unyielding support, believing she had nothing to apologize for.
I have a strong feeling he would have listened to you if you were there. I know you’ve saved people. Celebrity right or wrong has a certain power in this world.
— Son Jhao (@electic_me) April 3, 2021
I was today years old when I learned that it’s not okay to express empathy about a tragedy that I was not involved in because some people might think I was doing it for clout, aka “white Heroism”. I don’t know how we will stand together if we cant come together.
— oʇʇǝןıʇS ʎɯɯɐ⊥ Tammy Stiletto (@TammyStiletto) April 3, 2021
I saw you trending, and I am sooooooooo glad you are OK!
And you have one of the biggest hearts of anyone, ever.— aj (@?) (@adjordan) April 3, 2021
Following the backlash Cher, initially, doubled down by saying to her nearly four million followers and others, “You Don’t Know What I’ve Done, Who I Am, Or What I Believe. I CAN, I HAVE, & I WILL…HELP.” That tweet remains on the singer’s timeline.
Wrestled With This Twt, Because I Thought some ppl wouldn’t understand, Or Believe an Entertainer Could have Honest emotions about a human Being,suffering & Dying,even if It’s Only Shown On tv. You Don’t Know What I’ve Done,Who I Am,Or What I Believe.I CAN,I HAVE,& I WILL..HELP
— Cher (@cher) April 3, 2021
Cher then followed with what amounts to an apology tweet stating, “IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In Blk Community.”
I Just got off phone With Friend Karen.Told her what Happened,& Realized,You Can Piss Ppl Off,& Hurt Them By Not Knowing Everything That’s”NOT Appropriate”To Say.I know Ppl Apologize When They’re In a Jam,BUT??TO GOD??,IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In Blk Community.I Know My
— Cher (@cher) April 3, 2021
The Derek Chauvin trial entered its second week on Monday. Chauvin has pled not guilty to all charges against him in the murder of George Floyd. The trial is expected to last a total of six weeks.
