UPDATE: Chili clarifies the statement she made about ‘all lives matter’ after backlash via social media.
As previously reported, the TLC member was asked by Channel 4 in the U.K. about the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S.
She responded: “I personally didn’t go to any marches or anything like that, but for me, all lives matter, you know what I mean? Because there is a time when different groups are targeted for different things, you know what I’m saying? So, I just think that just the whole what happened – police brutality – against these young black boys, all of that kind of stuff is wrong. Even if it was a Caucasian teen kid that this was happening to or whatever.”
Her subsequent roasting was so intense that Chilli disabled the ability to leave comments on her Instagram account.
In a statement posted by The Shade Room, the singer, 46, addressed the controversy.
“Of course Black Lives Matter and the killing of young black boys is heartbreaking to all of us,” Chilli stated. “Everyone knows I am a black mother of a black son so there is no way I could watch what’s happening and not be affected. That video was from an interview in London asking me about issues happening in the U.S. My response was inclusive of everyone, but not meant to undervalue the Black Lives Matter movement or to suggest police brutality against blacks is acceptable.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
Whenever anyone gets into a discussion about Black Lives Matter, chances are that someone will derail the conversation by saying “All Lives Matter.”
Today, that person was Chilli. She started out the promo tour for TLC‘s next and final album by confusing everyone with her answer to a question about whether she supports Black Lives Matter.
“For me, all Lives Matter,” Chilli said, “there’s a time when different groups are targeted for different things.”
Chilli followed that up with some stammering about why she believes police brutality is problem for everyone, not just Black people. Nevermind that the phrase “All Lives Matter” is a deflection completely intended to silence real concerns about the disproportionate amount of police brutality inflicted on the Black community.
“So I–just that–just the whole what happened–police brutality against young black boys and stuff like that. All of that kind of stuff is wrong,” Chilli said. “Even if it was a Caucasian teen–kid–that this was happening to, it’s just not right.”
Hoping to clear up any misunderstanding, she added that she feels the real problem with police brutality is having the wrong people in positions of power. “Some people take that authoritative position and go crazy with it,” she explained.
“That color sticks together, too–blue. They stick together,” T-Boz chimed in “They’re not going to tell on each other.”
T-Boz couldn’t save Chilli, though, because she was busy talking about why she isn’t worried about having Donald Trump in The White House.
“God is my president,” T-Boz asserted. “I just feel sorry for people it affects, but I don’t care about him.”
Well, there you have it.
After seeing this clip, fans on Black Twitter didn’t hold back about Chilli’s opinion.
Chilli Clarifies ‘All Lives Matter’ Statement After The Internet Loses It was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
