Pop star Rihanna’s bold social messages that moved us

Ruhi Gilder
International pop star Rihanna took the internet by storm after posting this tweet drawing attention to India’s ongoing farmer protests.  

She expressed outrage over the internet shutdown that is currently in force in some of the areas surrounding Delhi with a simple question, “Why aren’t we talking about this?!” 
This led to over 200,000 shares with activists like Greta Thunberg and Jamie Margolin and US Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece Meena talking about the issue.   
This isn’t the first time the Barbados-born singer has stood up against social injustices and for the rights of the downtrodden.  
That’s what makes her a real star. Here are some instances that prove Riri really is an icon to be looked up to. 
While accepting the NAACP 2020 President’s Award for philanthropic efforts, Rihanna plead for unity and told the audience to “pull up” to help deprived communities and those facing injustice.  
Rihanna teamed up with Beyonce, Alicia Knowles and other celebrities to create a PSA against police brutality in the US. The 2016 video was titled, ’23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America’. The moving black-and-white video shows high-profile celebs listing everyday instances when innocent African Americans were killed, such as ‘making eye contact,’ ‘on the way to Bible study,’ and ‘attending a birthday party.’ 
Watch the video here

 

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The politically active pop star made a bold statement by posting a photo of herself taking the trash out on Donald Trump’s last day in office. She wore a Nemesis Records t-shirt reading, “End racism by any means necessary,” along with black lace underwear, sheer tights, and pink satin mules. No one makes a statement in style like Rihanna!  
In 2019, the singer also spoke up against the President’s immigration policy with a t-shirt printed with the word “Immigrant”. She hoped that it would remind people that “Wherever I go, except for Barbados, I’m an immigrant”, and that there are “a million Rihannas out there, getting treated like dirt.”
She has always been vocal about her support for the Black Lives Matter Movement. On Blackout Tuesday, a social media movement to demand justice for George Floyd and other Black victims of police brutality in America, Rihanna paused production and sales of all three of her Fenty brands. 
Rihanna also turned down the 2019 Super Bowl halftime performance to support football player and activist Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick stoked, both, solidarity and controversy when he decided not to stand for the national anthem in 2016 as a peaceful protest against police brutality and injustice toward people of colour in the US. He claims the NFL essentially blacklisted him after protests in 2016.  
Thank you, Rihanna, for being a socially conscious style icon and inspiring us.

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