Black Celebrities Call For Gun Control In The Wake Of Elementary School Shooting

By Okla Jones · Updated May 25, 2022

In the wake of Tuesday’s tragic school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX, many people have called for gun reform.

Less than two weeks removed from the incident at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo where 10 people – all of whom were Black – were shot and killed. Several celebrities of color have voiced their displeasure at the way the government is handling these situations, as well as their apathetic approach to violence in this country.

The poet and activist Amanda Gorman posted a series of tweets sharing, saying: “It takes a monster to kill children. But to watch monsters kill children again and again and do nothing isn’t just insanity—it’s inhumanity.”

“The truth is, one nation under guns,” she added. “What might we be if only we tried. What might we become if only we’d listen.”

Notable people of color such as Gabrielle Union, Chlöe Bailey, LeBron James, Cory Booker, and several others spoke out on social media in hopes that a change will be made, rather than the apologies and condolences that have become the norm nowadays.

Below, are some of the celebrities that are fed up with our current state of affairs, calling for a change in gun control.

01

Gabrielle Union

Yesterday, Gabrielle Union posted her thoughts on the incident at the South Texas Elementary School via her Twitter account, saying: “It’s BEEN enough. We’ve been at “enough” for centuries.” She added: “Babies. We can’t get numb to this. These are our babies, our families. How many of our babies need to be murdered for folks to be moved to action?”

02

Quinta Brunson

The creator and writer of Abbott Elementary wrote on her account: “every time this happens I watch the conversation move toward the why. Mental health, race, class, domestic dispute etc. I kind of can’t stand that because all it does is protect the only constant in each case: a gun.”

03

Chlöe Bailey

Actress, singer and songwriter also went to Twitter Chlöe Bailey to voice her heartbreak over the mass shooting in Uvalde. “when will this end??????? when will it stop???,” she said. “how do we just keep letting this happen?? 18 babies gone!”

04

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington retweeted several posts calling for gun reform, and wrote: “As a mother, this is tragically unimaginable. School should be a SAFE place. My heart breaks for the pain and suffering of every family member and loved one connected to today’s events in Texas. My prayers are with you.”

05

Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris said “enough is enough,” during a speech at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies 20th Annual Awards Gala.

06

Amanda Gorman

Poet and activist Amanda Gorman penned a poem on her Twitter account, expressing her displeasure with the government’s approach to gun laws.

07

Uzo Aduba

“Enough is enough,” said Orange is the New Black’s star Uzo Uduba on social media.

08

Cory Booker

U.S. Senator Cory Booker emphatically said “This is insanity,” during an interview with PIX 11. He expressed frustration at the lack of support from Senate Republican colleagues to make progress on this issue.

09

LeBron James

NBA star Lebron James has been vocal about gun reform for years. Yesterday, James said on Twitter: “There simply has to be change! HAS TO BE!!”

10

Lewis Hamilton

“Praying for all the families who lost their child. I’m also praying for all of the kids in America who are at risk everyday by just going to school,” Hamilton wrote, sharing photographs of the victims.

11

Amanda Seales

Amanda Seales posted a powerful video on social media, speaking out on the hypocrisy that occurs in America. In another tweet, she also said: “The wrong people are dying.”

12

Offset

Offset went to Twitter to offer his condolences to the family and loved ones affected, writing: “Prayers for the people in Texas man those are kids that were killed smh this world needs God smh”

13

Barack Obama

Former President Barack Obama shared a statement on Twitter, mourning the deaths of the 19 students and two adults as a result of the mass shooting in Texas, writing “Across the country, parents are putting their children to bed, reading stories, singing lullabies—and in the back of their minds, they’re worried about what might happen tomorrow after they drop their kids off at school, or take them to a grocery store or any other public space.”

14

Jon Batiste

The Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Batiste wrote on via his social media account: “We need to make some changes now.”