In the past week, two unarmed black men have died at the hands of US police officers.
Last week, a 40-year-old pastor named Terence Crutcher was shot dead by police in Tulsa, Oklahoma and on Tuesday, 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott was fatally shot in the car park of an apartment complex in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In the days that followed, protests have broken out across North Carolina, with police using tear gas to break up the crowd and Governor Pat McCrory declaring a state of emergency.
In the wake of the incidents, L.A-based R&B artist Kelela has posted two emotional letters to Instagram, explaining to white people how to respond to the pain and anger felt by black people around the world.
She opens her letter with: '[I'm] tired of white people telling me what I should and shouldn't feel. People who are not black need to be listening (not talking or making suggestions) right now.'
Her thoughts echo the sentiments of Solange Knowles, who recently wrote an essay discussing 'white spaces' following a racist attack during a concert.
But, this isn't the first time the singer has spoken out against white privilege.
In March, she told The Fader:
At this time, it's important to remember that ignorance is not founded in a lack of intelligence but of understanding.
It's everyone's duty to do better.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
