Yesterday, 26 people were killed and more than 20 were injured after a 26-year-old man walked into the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and opened fire. Many celebrities have offered their prayers to those affected by the tragedy and have called for increased gun control. Miley Cyrus joined them this morning in three candid Instagram posts.
"My dreams have become nightmares & those nightmares, reality," Cyrus started in her first one. "This isn't fair , this isn't right, this isn't just, this isn't human! This is a TERRORIST act by a WHITE AMERICAN MAN! I am heartbroken & embarrassed. Mortified by our country & its shitty system , lack of control/laws! This does NOT HAVE or NEED to happen! It's devastatingly disgusting!"
"They say it gets worst before it gets better in some cases & I wish on every star that this is the worst of it!" she continued. "I continue to be hopeful that enough is enough and the eyes of the ignorant will open and realize that (gun) VIOLENCE has to stop!"
In response to the comments on her first post (and those who took issue with Cyrus calling out the shooter's white American male identity), Cyrus shared a second post.
I'd like to believe that EVERY person who takes the life of another being is " mentally ill " .... it's hard to conceptualize that a sane human could commit such a hideous crime. BUT I am sorry Donald Trump this absolutely is a " GUNS SITUATION" I am aghast by the reaction of my latest post , it is completely amazing to me how defensive and in denial this country really is! You are not focused on the horrific tragedy I addressed but more angered that I am putting a BIG bright spotlight on the fact it was a "WHITE AMERICAN MALE" terrorist that walked in & killed 26 people (including children) leaving 20 severely injured ! All of a sudden .... " we are all equal " "human is human" "skin color doesn't matter " (NOW neither does gender) "makes no difference if they were male or female" ...... BUT those things absolutely matter when ... someone completely legitimate is running for president (versus someone who isn't) , when a car runs over innocent people while professing their love to a GOD different from yours , it sure matters to the cops when they beat or even kill innocent people of color , it even matters at the airport/on an airplane or in immigration when folks are completely profiled & judged for their background . NOW it doesn't matter if someone is a man or woman? Well that's news to me and the HH foundation because it's been years of fighting for gender equality and the right to be the sex you identify with or marry the one you love! There has ALWAYS been an issue with these subjects until NOW. So since this tragedy has occurred (coming off the cusp of Vegas, another terroristic act by a white American male) DONT START to be all innocent! Gender , race , & religion HAS and continues to matter for all the wrong reasons & that's only the beginning of how backwards this country is! All of you are so focused on protecting yourself, you've completely forgotten that you're not the only one that has to live in this country or on this planet! Aren't you exhausted? Because to be honest I am fucking sick and tired of starting everyday with tears and in mourning! Let's unite! Trump never needed to build a wall for us , we've done it ourselves! Love!
She wrapped with a last post with a photo of her and her father (she also tagged her brothers): "Just a few of my favorite WHITE AMERICAN MALES," she started. "I do NOT & refuse to generalize or stereotype! Facts are Facts. You are all correct to believe every human deserves the same respect .... but please keep that in mind when you're judging others. NOT just with the race , religion , gender , or sexuality which YOU identify with. Deal?"
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
