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Greetsia Tent/WireImageDrake took to Instagram on Wednesday to mourn the death of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man who was fatally shot by police outside a Louisiana convenience store a day earlier.
“I am grateful to be able to call America my second home,” the 29-year-old Toronto rapper shared in the post. “Last night when I saw the video of Alton Sterling being killed it left me feeling disheartened, emotional, and truly scared. I woke up this morning with a strong need to say something.
“It’s impossible to ignore that the relationship between black and brown communities and law enforcement remains as strained as it was decades ago,” he continues. “No one begins their life as a hashtag. Yet the trend of being reduced to one continues.
“This is real and I’m concerned. Concerned for the safety of my family, my friends, and any human being that could fall victim to this pattern,” adds Drake. “I do not know the answer. But I believe things can change for the better. Open and honest dialogue is the first step.”
Finally, Drake offers his sympathy to Sterling’s family, writing, “My thoughts and prayers are with the Sterling family and any family that has lost someone to this cycle of violence.”
He concludes the open letter with, “Be safe out there. More life.”
Sterling was killed early Tuesday in a shooting that was captured on cellphone video. In the video, two officers appear to struggle with Sterling and slam him to the ground. An investigation of the incident will be led by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
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Alton Disheartened Drake emotional Scared Sterling truly video
