Sam Smith opened up on social media about how witnessing a racist act in London left him "speechless."
On Tuesday night, the 23-year-old singer tweeted that his friend was the victim of a racist verbal assault.
Just experienced my friend getting verbally abused racially in London. I am absolutely SPEECHLESS.
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
I never ever ever ever thought that would happen here. Absolutely speechless and hurt.
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
I feel like I have to shine some sort of light on it. The police were so unhelpful in the situation and its deeply shocked me.
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
Humans are HUMANS
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
I feel like I have to say something. I'm just so upset. So UPSET
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
I just got home and Nina Simone is on the radio - fitting
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
Many Twitter users criticized Smith for appearing blind to the everyday racism that exists not just in London or the United States, but everywhere.
The most ironic thing about Sam Smith discovering racism exists is the fact that the story became about him & not his friend, the victim.
— boqor riya. (@hausofriya) January 20, 2016
Sam Smith witnessed his friend experience racism and now he wants to "shine light" on something about as known as cars having four wheels.
— PantheR (@____PantheR) January 20, 2016
I just wanna know what Sam Smith's grasp on racism was before this point.
— Captain Kirk (@ILLCapitano94) January 20, 2016
Sam Smith got Negro spirituals in the background of his songs but just discovered racism existed last night. ok.
— hiba (@502hiba) January 20, 2016
why are people expecting poc to praise sam smith for realizing racism exists in the uk when poc in the uk have always been talking about it
— rhia (@clitpiercing) January 20, 2016
Me when Sam Smith told me that racism is a thing and police don't care pic.twitter.com/zD3YoNturN
— Bolu Babalola (@BeeBabs) January 20, 2016
Smith has yet to respond to the backlash.
H/T Mic
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