Iskra Lawrence has joined the chorus of voices in condemning the killing of George Floyd on Sunday, as she vowed to protect her newborn daughter from racial abuse.
The British model, 29, model took to Instagram to upload a snap of the baby she shares with partner Philip Payne, as she spoke out amid the weekend’s worldwide protests over Floyd’s May 25th death after being restrained by Minneapolis police.
On Friday, ex-police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a video surfaced of him crushing Floyd’s neck with his knee.
Condemned: Iskra Lawrence has joined the chorus of voices in condemning the killing of George Floyd on Sunday, as she vowed to protect her newborn daughter from racial abuse
And plus-sized model Iskra threw her support behind the Black Lives Matter campaign as she penned a lengthy caption, highlighting the fact that her biracial baby’s skin colour will impact her life in ways she ‘will never be able to understand’.
She wrote: ‘This is my beautiful innocent black baby. As your mother I will protect you in anyway I can. But I know that will never be enough. Your skin colour will impact your life in a way I will never be able to understand.
‘Your father will have to teach you things as a privileged white child I never had to learn. Your friends will need to be allies and speak up for you at times when simply being you could get you hurt or killed.’
White privilege: Iskra highlighted the fact that hey baby’s skin colour will impact her child’s life in ways she ‘will never be able to understand’
Iskra continued: ‘Now it’s on all of us to educate ourselves. I’ve asked far too many questions to my black loved ones when they are already exhausted and grieving for their community.
‘It’s not on them to educate us privileged folk. We need to do our own research into the deep rooted history of racism.
‘Ask ourselves questions like why we are shown the graphic videos of black people being murdered on the news yet you’ll never see a video of a white person being murdered?
‘There are many ways in which systematic oppression is used everyday, especially to continue to spread fear and separation between races. Who is going to read up with me?’
The mother-of-one told her followers: ‘If you’re not outraged and trying to figure out how you can do your bit ask yourself if your daughter or son, sister or brother was at risk everyday of being murdered for the colour of their skin would you not be doing everything you could.
Advice: She shared a series of posts explaining white privilege and how it can be used for good
‘Every opportunity, every micro aggression, constant racial profiling all feeding into oppression. Signing petitions, donating and calling to support is the least we can do.
‘Let’s have the discussions with our families, campaign to get police reform and continue to learn more so we can combat systemic racism everyday.
‘We must use our white privilege to do better in memory of all those who’ve had their lives ended, futures taken and have to fight discrimination every single day…’
Iskra, who gave birth to her daughter in April, revealed in January 2019 that she has experienced both ‘hate’ and ‘racism’ since confirming her relationship with Philip.
The model took to her social media platform to share a sweet loved-up picture of herself kissing the handsome American musician.
Instagram: Taking to her Instagram Stories, the British model also shared input from friends
Speaking out: Celebrities and citizens on both sides of the Atlantic have been sharing their thoughts on George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota
However, in the caption, Iskra revealed that despite receiving ‘so much love and support’, the couple were also subjected to ‘hate and racism’.
Encouraging her followers to be kind, the stunning blonde then shared her own poem promoting kindness.
She said: ‘Today is #hellotokindness @hellomag I’ve had such mixed feelings this week, so much love and support when for the first time in my life I shared my relationship online.
‘But the fears I had came true when @philipapayne and I started receiving targeting hate and racism. So here’s a poem I’ve written to share my feelings and spread some kindness – I hope you will share it too.’
She then shared her poem followed by the hashtags: ‘#loveislove #philipandiskra #interracialcouple #relationshipgoals #couplegoals #happiness #love #bestfriends #poetry #kindness #bekind #endracisim.’
Proud new parents: Iskra welcomed her first child with American beau Philip Payne in April. They have not revealed her full name but use her initials, A.M.P