by Danita White

The U.S. is once again in upheaval over the death of a Black man at the hands of a white police offer.

George Floyd, an African-American man, died in Minneapolis on May 25 when Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on the road, while Chauvin had his knee on his neck. Even after Floyd became unresponsive, Chauvin did not remove from off his neck. Three other arresting officers all stood nearby and looked on while Floyd died. The four officers have since been fired and Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Those charges, however, have not stopped protests from spreading nationwide.

Many have reacted to the death of George Floyd, including those in the Christian hip hop community. Read what some artists have had to say below:

A lot of “Christians” spoke out about a store being destroyed and not about a life being taken.

I’ll never look at y’all the same after this year.— Aha. (@ahagazelle) May 30, 2020

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I didn’t wanna post this to my page but the truth is still the truth even when it hurts. 😔

A post shared by I Can’t Save You (@ahagazelle) on May 29, 2020 at 6:30am PDT View this post on Instagram

As a white kid growing up, no parent or mentor ever had to have this conversation with me. That’s called privilege. This is the reality of the world we live in – people of color (my FRIENDS, my pastors, mentors, my wife) are not treated the same as me bc of their skin. Just THIS MONTH we have seen the reality of this in #georgefloyd #breonnataylor #christiancooper #ahmaudarbery – and those are just the ones we know about. If this happened for one day it would be one day too long – but it has been happening for decades. I am going to have “THE TALK” with my kids too – except it’s going to sound like this “Every human being is made in the image of God & worthy of value, dignity and love. You treat everyone the same no matter the color of their skin! And always look out for, defend & support your black and brown friends because they aren’t treated the same as you!” Every white person who sees injustice must not just passively watch but actively be a part of the solution. That means being ANTI-racist – actively warring against racism by using time, resources, influence, voice, buying power & advocacy to bring equality and justice & hold others accountable who participate in the evil of racism. Love to my brother @beleafmel & his wife @mrsmelanin who made this video. I love y’all.

A post shared by Saint Andrew (@andymineo) on May 29, 2020 at 3:52pm PDT

Church leaders spend too much time defending themselves when challenged to do more for injustice & racism. Admitting you’ve not done more to care about what God cares about & asking forgiveness is LITERALLY the central theme of Christianity.

Pastor @jeremyfoster – this is it. pic.twitter.com/8V6Q28PLzF— Saint Andrew (@AndyMineo) May 27, 2020

To those who hate me because of the color of my skin: I love you.— Christon Gray (@christongray) May 28, 2020

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“To be honest. I have nothing good to say right now. Just tears. And anger. Forget the context. This is inexcusable. This man is DEAD. Murdered. He was not an imminent threat. And he was not handled as a human being. This officer being convicted is cool yeah but the mentality, will it ever be imprisoned, punished, Eradicated? There are only two uprisings I can think of…. one involves us against them. The other requires ALL of us against IT. If we stay stagnant & silent, us against them is inevitable.” -Ezekiel Azonwu

A post shared by Da’ Truth (@datruthonduty) on May 26, 2020 at 1:23pm PDT View this post on Instagram

And i was taking a break from social media. But i’m furious. i just watched the video of this murder. i will be talking to many of my non-black friends and my friends in education this week. i encourage you to do so as well. The uncomfortable conversations and the convos about reaching the youth are the root of where change will stem from. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Rest in Power #GeorgeFloyd

A post shared by Dee-1 (@dee1music) on May 26, 2020 at 11:00pm PDT View this post on Instagram

Brothers and sisters, I want you to grieve. I want you to mourn. I want you to feel. I want you to be human. When the dust settles, it’s time to build tangible things that can help our community. As we struggle with our emotions and our heart, we must press forward and build our community from the rubble. The Most High has given us what we need… He will not leave us stranded. #weownnow weownnow.com @we.own.now

A post shared by Derek Minor (@thederekminor) on May 29, 2020 at 10:31am PDT

I’m tired of seeing dead bodies that look like me. #GeorgeFloyd— Derek Minor (@thederekminor) May 26, 2020

This might get lost in all of the words on our timelines but it needs to be said that no one is asking anyone to be a Martin, Baldwin, or even a Hampton. Only they can be them. There is versatility to fighting injustice so w/whatever gift, vocation or voice you have, just use it.— Jackie Hill Perry (@JackieHillPerry) May 28, 2020

Imagine how dark your heart must be to place your knee on a handcuffed mans neck, hear him say “I can’t breath” multiple times and yet continue to watch him suffocate under the weight of your body.

This is wicked. This is murder. https://t.co/HeBbKPrKOw— Jackie Hill Perry (@JackieHillPerry) May 26, 2020

When the Romans tortured Christians, the tomb was empty.

When the Natives walked the trail of tears, the tomb was empty.

When the Africans were kidnapped and forced into slavery, the tomb was empty.

Today in the midst of it all, the tomb is empty.

God sees. God cares.— Lecrae (@lecrae) May 27, 2020

My soul is grieved and Im tired y’all. Jesus give us wisdom and strength. https://t.co/HHVjAD8pN5— Lecrae (@lecrae) May 26, 2020

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Let’s keep it real.

A post shared by lecrae (@lecrae) on May 27, 2020 at 7:58am PDT View this post on Instagram

That’s how we win! That’s how we overcome! That is how we properly honor the life and memory of those we’ve lost. I’m not saying don’t be angry, anger is good at times, anger is the guardian of sadness. Let your emotions flow, just channel them into something that won’t destroy the neighborhood, city, or community you call home. Love yourself enough to fight in a way that it will bring honor to those that we’ve lost and for those that are still here that need us most. #chasewellness & #neverfold 💎

A post shared by Tedashii (@tedashii) on May 30, 2020 at 2:09pm PDT

People keep asking me what can they do or how can they learn. This is a start. https://t.co/a3GMKxLRNs— Tedashii (@Tedashii) May 29, 2020

So someone who is in my “custody” that is injured or dies as a direct result of my actions doesn’t mean I’m responsible for it if the medical examiner says it does’t? Understood. Lesson learned!#GeorgeFloydWasMurdered #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd https://t.co/HNyb6YH34f— Tedashii (@Tedashii) May 29, 2020

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@nike gets it | Stop making excuses #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd

A post shared by WANDE ®🤍🇳🇬 (@omgitswande) on May 30, 2020 at 7:16am PDT