Janelle Monaé released an updated version of her 2015 song, “Say Her Name,” updated with the names of more Black women who have lost their lives at the hands of police in the U.S.
Monaé has partnered with the African American Policy Forum and 15 other Black women and activists for the track single which was released ahead of International Daughter’s Day on Sunday.
The AAPF was founded in 1996 and is an innovative think tank that connects academics, activists and policy-makers to support endeavors to dismantle structural inequality.
On the 17-minute single, several other female artists, including Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Zoë Kravitz and Brittany Howard. Activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham, law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones are heard on the track reciting the names of the Black women we all want to make sure nobody forgets.
The original version featured the names of Black women and men who were victims of police brutality and race-based violence including, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell and Freddie Grey, as well as Bland and Carey.
“This is a rally cry. We aim to give reverence to the countless Black women and girls who should be with us today,” Monaé said in a statement.
“And to their mothers who have suffered this unbearable loss. They matter. Their names matter. Their stories matter. And justice needs to be served. May we all commit ourselves to protecting black women and girls and making systemic changes to protect our sisters from the abuse of power in the police force. Please join us and #SayHerName.”
Below is the list of names mentioned on the track:
Rekia Boyd, Latasha Nicole Walton, Atatiana Jefferson, Kendra James, Priscilla Slater, Yuvette Henderson, Renee Davis, Kyam Livingston, Cynthia Fields, Kindra Chapman, India Kager, Shelly Frey, LaJuana Phillips, Kisha Michael, Dannette Daniels, Crystal Ragland, Pamela Turner, Latandra Ellington, Crystalline Barnes, Korryn Gaines, Michelle Cusseaux, India Cummings, Sandra Bland, Symone Marshall, Yvette Smith, Margaret Mitchell, Mya Hall, Tyisha Miller, Alesia Thomas, Kayla Moore, Alberta Spruill, Breonna Taylor, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Nizah Morris, LaTanya Haggerty, Layleen Polanco, Shereese Francis, Sheneque Proctor, April Webster, Kathryn Johnston, Michelle Shirley, India Beaty, Tanisha Anderson, Sandy Guardiola, Shukri Ali Said, Duanna Johnson, Eleanor Bumpurs, Jessica Williams, Sarah Riggins, Charleena Lyles, Sharmel Edwards, Deborah Danner, Joyce Curnell, Natasha McKenna, Darnesha Harris, Pearlie Golden, Miriam Carey, and Tarika Wilson.
You can donate to the campaign via the Youtube channel.
