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Ne-Yo Under Heavy Scrutiny for ‘Sacrifice,’ Comments While Performing at George Floyd’s Funeral
Singer/Songwriter Ne-Yo is under heavy scrutiny from the public due to a few comments made while in the midst of performing at George Floyd’s memorial service on Tuesday, June 9th.
The duration of the last two weeks of the tragic, hate-induced crime – the world became widely impacted, fueled with outrage and sadness from different avenues about police brutality and systematic racism. Millions of people throughout the world stood against the unjust system, sparking protesting and riots from all shades to combat police brutality and permit law enforcers to be held accountable to the highest extent of the law.
Floyd’s televised funeral was held on June 9that The Fountain of Praise Church in Houston, Texas. Many celebrities took the opportunity to attend his funeral to pay respects – such as Reverend Al Sharpton, who recited a eulogy, Gospel singers; Kurt Carr and Kim Burrell, as well as Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx. Ne-Yo was one of the performing acts at the memorial service, but before he was able to finish his performance – things became a little tense for his subliminal remarks.
Taking a brief intermission before performing his second song of choice, the Grammy Award Winning artist somberly expressed the significant impact of the late George Floyd.
“He changed the world. He changed the world for the better.” Ne-Yo stated in the beginning of the 20-second video clip. His following sentiments continued, “[So] I just wanna personally thank Floyd for sacrificing so that my kids can be alright.”
Unbeknownst to what Ne-Yo assumed what he stated was genuine, commentators on the world wide web were swift with rebuttals.
“Neyo says he thanks George for sacrifice so that his kids can live in peace. Awkward… George was murdered. He didn’t ask for no s-it.” A Twitter user with the handle @Slickhope_ commented. 
Other comments ensued, causing a frenzy on Twitter which permitted the singer/songwriter to trend. Adding insult to injury, his emotional-tinged rendition of Boyz II Men’s “It’s so Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” was nothing short of disappointment, according to several spectators. 
To watch both Ne-Yo’s performance and commentary, check out the videos after the jump:
In a way, George Floyd’s death did insinuate the world to stand against police brutality, the aesthetics of racism, and how vastly it continues to spread, and the injustices of the judicial system especially against African-Americans.
A division mixed with unification has showcased vividly – combating the prolonged errors the US continues to brush underneath the rug while prohibiting reform. The new form of police brutality against African Americans has increased in alarming numbers throughout the years, targeting innocent people such as the likes of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor who at the end, did not receive the proper justice.
To encounter change, there is no room for repeated offenses to end in the same result of no prosecutions or convictions to the unlawful suspects. Especially those who represents the law. Many people need to come into realization that there have been too many lives taken away by the hands of violence. By the hands of police officers. By the undercover racists.
There needs to be justice. And if these upper-echelon individuals assume that burning down buildings is more vital than someone’s life; or that another life is worth the sacrifice for changed behavior, or a life that was taken in an animalistic behavior for 8 minutes and 46 seconds serves as a purpose of God calling his child back home – then there is a bigger issue that needs to be challenged with mental health and a clear reality check.
What are your thoughts in regard to Ne-Yo’s statement? Is there an overreaction and the masses being undignified or was the outrage against Ne-Yo’s comments justified?
