Kevin Hart is calling on the media to be mindful of the messages they are conveying as protests in reaction to George Floyd’s death persist. Across the country, demonstrations and unrest have broken out following Floyd’s tragic death. In a heartfelt post on his Instagram, Hart, 40, encouraged reporters and journalists to play a role in creating positive change with the stories they are sharing.
Kevin Hart emphasized the importance of media responsibility in shaping the narrative surrounding the protests following George Floyd’s death. He urged journalists to focus on the injustices that sparked the protests instead of shifting the focus onto the rioting and looting that has occurred. Speaking calmly yet firmly, Hart reminded reporters of their role in shaping public perception. He stressed the need to highlight the underlying reason for the protests – another tragic death at the hands of law enforcement. Hart’s message was clear: the media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding, and it is essential to ensure the correct narrative is being pushed.
“I’ve observed a gradual evolution in the way the story is unfolding,” Hart remarked as he noticed a change in the narrative’s depiction.
“He started by taking a knee,” Hart mentioned Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers player who began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to highlight the issues of police brutality and racial injustice.
The tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer was another unnecessary loss of life. Hart emphasized that there have been several similar incidents that demand attention. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the calls for justice, ending such violence, and seeking meaningful change.
Hart also called on the media to play a role in advocating for necessary changes. He urged them to support the ongoing protests and understand the reasons behind the public’s outrage and frustration. The media, in his view, should stand with those seeking solutions and not perpetuate the problem. He drew a parallel with the narrative shift that occurred with Colin Kaepernick’s protest.
Addressing reporters from his backyard on a quiet Sunday morning, Kevin spoke out calmly yet firmly about the way the narrative surrounding social injustice has been twisted over time. He emphasized that the original intention behind kneeling during the national anthem was to bring awareness to social injustices, but it was misconstrued as disrespect for the flag and the country. Kevin stressed the importance of controlling the narrative and encouraged the media to be part of the solution in achieving justice and meaningful change. He called for accountability in the case of George Floyd’s death, advocating for all involved officers to be charged appropriately. Kevin highlighted the need for tangible actions towards equality, not just words, to truly make a difference.
‘Manage the story wisely’: Hart emphasizes the importance of journalists shaping the narrative surrounding current events. He advocates for ensuring that the public understands the reasons behind the anger and frustration and supports seeking justice. Hart urges for the remaining officers to be charged and for accountability to be upheld, emphasizing the need to keep the focus on the pursuit of justice rather than on looting and rioting. He stresses the importance of showcasing the diversity of those in protest. The nationwide protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed when former police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck. Chauvin has since been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Hart has been vocal about this issue before, demanding accountability for law enforcement in a prior statement.
Engaging on social media: Hart has not shied away from discussing the issue before, as he previously called for accountability for police officers in a past post.