Cher is apologizing to those she offended with a controversial comment about George Floyd‘s death.
On Friday (April 2), amid the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is accused of killing Floyd, the 74-year-old singer and actress tweeted about how she believes she could’ve helped save Floyd.
“Was talking with Mom & She Said ‘I Watched Trial Of Policeman Who Killed George Floyd, & Cried. I Said ‘Mom, I Know This Is Gonna Sound CRAZY, But.. I Kept Thinking …..Maybe If I’d Been There,…I Could’ve Helped,” Cher wrote in the now-deleted tweet.
Many followers took issue with the comment, accusing Cher of having a “white savior complex” and making the issue of Floyd’s death about her. Cher’s name became a trending topic Saturday morning on Twitter.
“Um….Cher, I think you’re great and all, but this ain’t it. George Floyd’s murder isn’t about you. Don’t make it about you. And don’t inadvertently insult the traumatized witnesses who WERE there and did their damndest to save his life,” one person tweeted.
Another wrote, “If the fire fighter EMS who tried to intervene didn’t succeed, you sure had no chance. What a post!! Mindboggling. Do you think you have some kind of magical power? Police would not allow anyone to interfere in their business.”
Some also came to the defense of the artist. “Cher is constantly helping all communities. More than most. So if a kind old lady wants to wish she was there to help. I don’t see the damn harm. Calm down,” someone tweeted.
Following the backlash, Cher posted a pair of tweets apologizing for her comments.
“Wrestled With This Twt, Because I Thought some ppl wouldn’t understand, Or Believe an Entertainer Could have Honest emotions about a human Being, suffering & Dying, even if It’s Only Shown On tv. You Don’t Know What I’ve Done,Who I Am,Or What I Believe. I CAN, I HAVE, & I WILL..HELP,” Cher wrote Saturday.
She added in a second tweet, “I Just got off phone With Friend Karen. Told her what Happened, & Realized,You Can Piss Ppl Off, & Hurt Them By Not Knowing Everything That’s ‘NOT Appropriate’ To Say. I know Ppl Apologize When They’re In a Jam, BUT TO GOD ,IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In Blk Community.I Know My [heart emoji].”
In May 2020, a video of the unarmed Black man’s death surfaced, revealing Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. The former police officer is currently on trial for murder charges in Floyd’s death. He has pleaded not guilty.
See Cher’s tweets below.
Wrestled With This Twt, Because I Thought some ppl wouldn’t understand, Or Believe an Entertainer Could have Honest emotions about a human Being,suffering & Dying,even if It’s Only Shown On tv. You Don’t Know What I’ve Done,Who I Am,Or What I Believe.I CAN,I HAVE,& I WILL..HELP
— Cher (@cher) April 3, 2021
I Just got off phone With Friend Karen.Told her what Happened,& Realized,You Can Piss Ppl Off,& Hurt Them By Not Knowing Everything That’s”NOT Appropriate”To Say.I know Ppl Apologize When They’re In a Jam,BUT🤚🏼TO GOD🙏🏼,IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In Blk Community.I Know My❤️
— Cher (@cher) April 3, 2021