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Home · News

Anne Hathaway’s Post About Nia Wilson’s Killing Is A Thoughtful Lesson Of White Allyship

Anne Hathaway’s Post About Nia Wilson’s Killing Is A Thoughtful Lesson Of White Allyship
Courtesy Of Nia Wilson’s Family
By Paula Rogo · Updated October 23, 2020

The actress Anne Hathaway called out white privilege in a thoughtful Instagram post that shone a spotlight on the tragic murder of Nia Wilson.

Wilson, 18, was viciously stabbed by a white man on Sunday while in a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train station in Oakland, California. Her other sister, 26-year-old Letifah, survived.

BART police identified 27-year-old John Lee Cowell from surveillance videos in the station, and he was arrested Monday evening.

The Oscar-winning actress dedicated an Instagram post to Wilson’s murder, calling the incident “unspeakable.” 

“The murder of Nia Wilson- may she rest in the power and peace she was denied here- is unspeakable AND MUST NOT be met with silence,” she wrote. “She is not a hash tag; she was a black woman and she was murdered in cold blood by a white man.”

The murder of Nia Wilson- may she rest in the power and peace she was denied here- is unspeakable AND MUST NOT be met with silence.  She is not a hash tag; she was a black woman and she was murdered in cold blood by a white man. White people- including me, including you- must take into the marrow of our privileged bones the truth that ALL black people fear for their lives DAILY in America and have done so for GENERATIONS.  White people DO NOT have equivalence for this fear of violence. Given those givens, we must ask our (white)selves- how “decent” are we really?  Not in our intent, but in our actions?  In our lack of action? Peace and prayers and JUSTICE for Nia and the Wilson family xx Note: the comments for this post are closed. #blacklivesmatter #antiracist #noexcuse #sayhername #earntherighttosayhername

A post shared by Anne Hathaway (@annehathaway) on Jul 25, 2018 at 10:44am PDT

But the post took a surprising turn from a mere tribute to a call to action when she called on other white people to check their privilege following such an incident.

“White people- including me, including you- must take into the marrow of our privileged bones the truth that ALL black people fear for their lives DAILY in America and have done so for GENERATIONS.  White people DO NOT have equivalence for this fear of violence. Given those givens, we must ask our (white)selves- how ‘decent’ are we really?  Not in our intent, but in our actions?  In our lack of action? “

She finished: “Peace and prayers and JUSTICE for Nia and the Wilson family.”

Many took to Twitter to praise Hathaway for her courage and allyship.

Anne Hathaway is determined to make me start rocking with Anne Hathaway on a permanent basis. Im here for it. #NiaWilson pic.twitter.com/FCfGkWctBa

— Kozza (@Kozza) July 25, 2018

Nothing but respect for my Queen of Genovia Anne Hathaway pic.twitter.com/Oz3JvTVCo1

— Sylvia Obell (@SylviaObell) July 26, 2018

Very thoughtful post on Nia Wilson from Anne Hathaway. This is a strong example of white solidarity. pic.twitter.com/KQGb3bxzbN

— Shaun King (@shaunking) July 26, 2018

Ann Hathaway! We need more like her...What a beautiful selfless way for her to stand up, speak up and use her platform and privilege to speak for African Americans in America against her own white privilege. #NiaWilson #AnneHathaway #thankyou

— Edward Thomas (@thomas19893) July 26, 2018

Over 1,000 people gathered on Tuesday to mourn Wilson’s killing in a vigil that turned into a protest.

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