Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stormzy pledges ‘lifetime commitment’ to anti-racism and will donate £10m to black British causes

'Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long,' said the rapper

Ellie Harrison
Thursday 11 June 2020 10:17 EDT
Comments
Black Lives Matter protesters stage marches around the world

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stormzy has pledged to donate £10m, over the next decade, to organisations, charities and movements tackling racial inequality, justice reform and black empowerment in the UK.

In a statement, the grime artist said: “The uncomfortable truth that our country continuously fails to recognise and admit, is that black people in the UK have been at a constant disadvantage in every aspect of life – simply due to the colour of our skin.

“I’m lucky enough to be in the position I’m in and I’ve heard people often dismiss the idea of racism existing in Britain by saying ‘If the country’s so racist how have you become a success?!’ and I reject that with this: I am not the UK’s shining example of what supposedly happens when a black person works hard.

“There are millions of us. We are not far and few. We have to fight against the odds of a racist system stacked against us and designed for us to fail from before we are even born.

“Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long and this pledge is a continuation in the fight to finally try and even it.”

News of the donation, which comes from him and his book imprint #Merky, arrives amid Black Lives Matter protests across the world in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

Stormzy's move follows Harry Styles's commitment to donate to a bail fund for arrested activists. Other stars to offer statements of support include Lizzo, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Lorde and Nick Cannon.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in