Artists React to the Death of Michael Brown and the Ongoing Crisis in Ferguson

This past Saturday, 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Mo., by Darren Wilson, a local police officer. While the story behind what exactly happened prior to Brown getting shot is still unclear, there is one thing we do know: Michael Brown was unarmed. Another important factor: Michael was black, and Wilson is white.

The event has led to protests from thousands in the area, who are equally hurt and angered by the tragic death that people believe was race-related. That civil unrest has also spread throughout the country, with people protesting in New York, Oakland, and Chicago over the last few days. 

A number of artists have likewise expressed their frustration with the current situation in Ferguson. From Killer Mike to John Legend, they have offered condolences to Brown and his family, shared support for the protests, as well as called for our government and its policing to be held to higher standards. Read their tweets and messages below.

We are human beings. We deserve to be buried by out children not the other way around. No matter how u felt about black people look at this Mother and look at this father and tell me as a human being how u cannot feel empathy for them. How can u not feel sympathy for their pain and loos. These are not "THOTS, niggas/niggers, hoes, Ballers, Divas. These two people are parents. They are humans that produced a child and loved that child and that child was slaughtered like Game and left face down as public spectacle while his blood drained down the street. Look at the pain of this mother, look into her eyes. Look at the Man behind her. Look at that father made helpless and hurt that he cud not defend his seed. Don't debate. Don't insert your agenda. Save me the bullshit Black On Black Crime speech and look at these to Noble creatures called humans and look at what govt sanctioned murder has done. It has robbed them of their humanity and replaced it with pain and shame, suffering and hurt. I don't care if others rioted or why. I don't care that ball players and Rappers are what they shud be. I care that we as humans care as much about one another more. I care we see past Class, race and culture and honor the humanity that unites our species. Stop talking and LOOK at these PEOPLE. LOOK at these HUMANS and stand with them against a system allows a Human PIG to slaughter their child. Forgive any typos love and respect u all.