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Dane Bowers SLAMMED for questioning whether the killing of George Floyd was racist 


Dane Bowers has been slammed for questioning whether the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd was racist.

On Friday, white police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a video surfaced of him crushing George’s neck with his knee, which has since sparked demonstrations across the globe. 

And in a now-deleted post shared to Facebook, the Another Level singer, 40, claimed social media users were ‘jumping on the bandwagon with the black power effort’, but has since apologised for the ‘way he said his point’.

Fury: Dane Bowers has been slammed for questioning whether the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd was racist

Fury: Dane Bowers has been slammed for questioning whether the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd was racist

The musician initially said: ‘Ok so I’m getting frustrated with everyone jumping on the bandwagon now with this whole black power thing. 

‘Can I just ask, and this is mostly out of ignorance, but how is the George Floyd situation automatically down to race? 

‘Yes he was black, the policeman was white, but why does that automatically make it a race aggravated crime?’ [sic]

The Shut Up… and Forget About It hitmaker sparked fury from a series of Facebook users, who insisted he ‘should be ashamed of himself’ for his ‘ignorant’ question.

Tragic: On Friday, white police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a video surfaced of him crushing George's neck with his knee, which has since sparked demonstrations across the globe (George pictured)

Tragic: On Friday, white police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a video surfaced of him crushing George’s neck with his knee, which has since sparked demonstrations across the globe (George pictured)

Controversial: And in a now-deleted post shared to Facebook, the Another Level singer, 40, claimed social media users were 'jumping on the bandwagon with the black power effort'

Controversial: And in a now-deleted post shared to Facebook, the Another Level singer, 40, claimed social media users were ‘jumping on the bandwagon with the black power effort’

One said: ‘Dane, now you and I both know that this video and moonwalk was b*******. Why in the world would the WORLD be protesting and rioting if this wasn’t about race!?!? I suggest you go watch the 9 minute murder video then come back and answer your own DUMB question!’ [sic]

In agreement, another fumed: ‘You questioned whether the attack on George Floyd had anything to do with Race that sums up your perspective your stupidity and total ignorance!! 

‘You’ve exposed yourself so shouldn’t be speaking out on none of this s*** you clearly don’t have enough understanding too. Talking about bandwagons these times you clearly ain’t got a f****** clue p*** off you clown.’ [sic]

A furious third added: ‘Disgrace, you should be ashamed of yourself’. [sic]

Backlash: The Shut Up... and Forget About It hitmaker sparked fury from a series of Facebook users, who insisted he 'should be ashamed of himself'

Backlash: The Shut Up… and Forget About It hitmaker sparked fury from a series of Facebook users, who insisted he ‘should be ashamed of himself’

The movement was aimed to give people an opportunity to reflect on and learn about the Black Lives Matter movement and racial equality, sparked by Floyd’s death at the hands of the white cop in Minneapolis on May 25. 

It was recently reported that in the past, Derek used ‘knee-jerk’ and ‘overkill’ tactics while working as a security guard on African American nights at a club.

In an act of solidarity, millions across the world have boycotted social media by filling their Instagram and Facebook feeds with stark black squares. 

On reflection, Dane issued an apology to fans on Instagram, insisting he did not intend to ‘undermine’ the powerful Black Lives Matter movement, but instead ‘highlight’ those who have been ‘using the hashtag to incite violence and negativity’.

The media personality said in a lengthy video: ‘It’s been brought to my attention that people are assuming I’m undermining this effort and Black Lives Matter.

'I am sorry': On reflection, Dane issued an apology to fans on Instagram, insisting he did not intend to 'undermine' the powerful Black Lives Matter movement

‘I am sorry’: On reflection, Dane issued an apology to fans on Instagram, insisting he did not intend to ‘undermine’ the powerful Black Lives Matter movement

Confusion: The artist, who is based in Dubai, claimed he wanted to 'highlight' those who have been 'using the hashtag to incite violence and negativity'

Confusion: The artist, who is based in Dubai, claimed he wanted to ‘highlight’ those who have been ‘using the hashtag to incite violence and negativity’

By no means am I doing that. At this time when things are still raw, I agree my timing and the way I said things were wrong.’

The TV star, the son of a white mother and black father, declared he is ‘not racist’, adding: ‘As a mixed-race person who has received racist comments, I do believe that there has been people jumping on the bandwagon.

‘With the hashtag Black Power, I saw really negative comments and videos of violence, when I believe the people behind the Black Lives Matter movement wouldn’t have liked those posts and wouldn’t have liked that hashtag to be saying that.

‘Can white people come out of black power? Yes, if they know what the connotations are. Black power was originally about oppression, achievement through adversity and racism and being proud of that, which black people encounter every day.

‘My point of saying the bandwagon was 100% those people who are jumping on for negative reasons and not getting the right message out there – I stand by that.’

Claiming he’s been on the receiving end of racism in the past, he continued: ‘The black power thing, people took that as racist and I’m not, I’m mixed-race myself. 

‘People can say I’m ignorant and have been using that as my bulletproof vest, but it’s true. I have seen different forms of racism of my life, even though I haven’t had the horrible misfortune to take it full on as a black person, but I’ve been around and seen it. 

‘I feel I do need to apologise to the people that took it the wrong way. I’m not undermining the problem, I’m underlining that too many idiots have jumped on the bandwagon and done negative things.

‘I do understand why black people are angry, I can’t fully as I’m not black. In my view, the way certain things have been done and jumping on the racial side of things, I don’t agree with, I’m sorry to say.’

'I've seen different forms of racism in my life': He also said he's been on the receiving end of racism in the past

‘I’ve seen different forms of racism in my life’: He also said he’s been on the receiving end of racism in the past

Addressing why he asked the question, the artist explained: ‘That question was because so many people have jumped on not knowing the full information. It’s quite obviously racist, it’s in America. 

‘I don’t think people need to be condemned for asking a question and jumping on the bandwagon for the sake of inciting violence or some form of view that is negative.

‘This isn’t to backtrack or get myself out of trouble, I just wanted to get my side clear. I want to apologise again to those who took offence, but not for what I think, thought and for wanting to ask questions. Hopefully now you at least see what I meant.’

Dozens of US cities have been set ablaze over the last week amid deadly clashes with police officers over the killing of George, whose death is considered a symbol of systemic police brutality against African-Americans. 

Powerful: Chants of, 'I can't breathe,' rebounded across the Thames in London on Sunday (pictured) - the words George was heard gasping before his passing

Powerful: Chants of, ‘I can’t breathe,’ rebounded across the Thames in London on Sunday (pictured) – the words George was heard gasping before his passing

Chants of, ‘I can’t breathe,’ rebounded across the Thames in London on Sunday – the words George was heard gasping before his death. 

Thousands had earlier gathered at Trafalgar Square before making their way to the gates of Downing Street and then south of the river towards the US Embassy.

Meanwhile outside Cardiff Castle in Wales, protesters were seen holding placards saying, ‘The UK isn’t innocent,’ and in Manchester hundreds were chanting in St. Peter’s Square.

They have defied the ban on mass gatherings due to coronavirus to show their solidarity with US citizens. 



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