Michael B. Jordan on Police Brutality: "It Could Have Easily Been Myself"

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In response to the tragic reports of police brutality this week, Michael B. Jordan took to Instagram on Friday evening to pen a powerful essay in response to the heartbreaking shootings. Michael - who famously played police brutality victim Oscar Grant III in 2013's Fruitvale Station - spoke out about the matter and emphasized that the news of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile's deaths "hits close to home" because "it could have easily been myself, my little brother, my dad, one of my friends, or any of us."

"I've been trying to process all that has occurred in the last few days and I'm still looking for the words to express my pain. The fact is Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were not unfortunate accidents. These are just a few of the countless incidents of violent neglect, poor training and lack of accountability that clearly illustrate one thing: Black people are being disproportionally dehumanized and murdered, this must stop!

I care about the safety of my black brothers and sisters and my blue ones too. There are no adequate words for the fallen officers in Dallas. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them for protecting the peaceful protestors, their courage and effort to support us is what we need more of.

This hits close to home. It could have easily been myself, my little brother, my dad, one of my friends, or any of us. When one of us is murdered because a police officer is "afraid for their life", it pains us - we feel it. In the wake of these senseless murders, our homes are forever broken; families are left to figure it out. I'm concerned about my mother, my sister, and all my magical black women that are left to pick up the pieces. Often they are not acknowledged or thanked for being on the front line fighting these battles for and with us, but know your continued strength, courage, and unwavering love and support gives us the strength to keep fighting. Finding solutions in these times of survival are seemingly hard to identify but we must continue to keep moving forward. Alternatively, violence is not the answer; it only begets more fear and violence. This is the time to unify; our communities, our churches and our homes. My mission is to channel my anger and energy - along with my love and hope for the future into actively finding solutions. Change will take all of us, we can no longer say or do...Nothing. "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." -MLK"

Michael hasn't been the only star to speak out about the issue. Check out more statements from Beyoncé, John Legend, and Barack Obama.