Fantasia and her husband defend postponed ‘All Lives Matter’ concert

Fantasia’s upcoming event in Charlotte, North Carolina, recently came under fire for being billed as an “All Lives Matter” and has since been postponed, but she and her husband are still defending the decision.

The performer found herself facing serious controversy after fliers promoting the event described it as: “Hear Me Now! – All Lives Matter.”

After the backlash, Fantasia took to Facebook to announce the rescheduling, saying, “I understand that our people are still in poverty and we’re not getting certain things that we deserve. I understand that, but the only way we’re going to get it is not through tearing up buildings. Two thousand years ago, Jesus ended the debate on which lives matter. He died for all us. All of us. Martin Luther King stood for love and unity for all people. United we stand, divided we fall. Let’s all stand together. So black lives matter, yes they do. All lives matter.”

Her husband, Kendall Taylor, also joined in the video, saying, “It’s real easy to critique somebody sitting behind your desk, or behind your smartphone […] and you’re talking about a word between ‘all’ and ‘black’. Black lives matter because all lives matter.”

“What kind of flyer do ya’ll want? We’ll send out some individual flyers. You hit us up, you let us know what flyer is going to get you motivated to come into the street. You want a blue flyer? You want a green flyer? Rainbow flyer? A purple flyer? Whatever flyer it takes to get you to fly to your house and fly away from your excuses […] Put all the details to the side. Pick up your sword, put on your armor, gird yourself, and have something to fight for.”

Anthony Hamilton, who is currently touring with Fantasia, took to social media to inform fans that he had nothing to do with the language of the flyer. The singer posted a video response, along with an article he wrote about his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, following the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in his hometown, Charlotte, North Carolina.