Shay Mitchell posts hopeful message about next generation

Shay Mitchell is using her platform to speak out about racial inequality and her hope for the future. The Canadian actor has built a massive social media following thanks to her Instagram account, which includes candid selfies and travel and lifestyle snaps, when such a thing was possible, to the tune of 28 million followers. On June 1, Mitchell shared her hopes for future generations, including her young daughter Atlas, to her sizable audience.The Vancouver-born actor is currently starring in You and Dollface and, in 2019, she welcomed her first child with partner Matte Babel. Mitchell shared two pictures of daughter Atlas and Babel. “I am hopeful that the next generation will abandon the prejudices of the past, and embrace and accept people based on who they are, versus the colour of their skin. Black or White. It doesn’t matter,” writes Mitchell. “All she sees are people who love her.  Racism is a learned behavior. It starts and stops at home.”

 

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I am hopeful that the next generation will abandon the prejudices of the past, and embrace and accept people based on who they are, versus the colour of their skin. Black or White. It doesn’t matter. All she sees are people who love her. Racism is a learned behavior. It starts and stops at home. ❤️

A post shared by Shay Mitchell (@shaymitchell) on Jun 1, 2020 at 12:14pm PDT

Mitchell also posted a quote by Desmond Tutu that has been widely shared on social media over the past week and reads “If you are neutral on situations on injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Along with the quote, Mitchell also encouraged her followers to sign petitions, educate themselves on important social matters and become an ally. “Use your voice, it matters. It will help. When you witness injustice call it out, staying silent does nothing.”

 

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“... Everyone has a voice, you have a voice and it matters. If everyone used their voice in times like these, maybe just maybe it would help improve things. When you sit there quiet it helps nothing. It kills me to hear that stuff like this is still happening in today’s society. People we are in 2020. This should not be happening at all, someone’s skin colour should NEVER define them. I feel like as humans living on this earth we have to do what we can to join in and help because living is a basic human right and they are getting that taken away from them. Some ways you can help - Use your voice, it matters. It will help. When you witness injustice call it out, staying silent does nothing - Get involved. Sign petitions , share petitions, donate to organizations that are working to help this. Share as much as you can, it makes a difference - Educate yourself. Take one day to just educate yourself so that you actually understand what is going on. It matters and makes a difference. Use your voice for what you believe in. Use it for justice. Use it for equality. Use it to be heard - because it matters. I’m not black, but I see you I’m not black, but I hear you I’m not black, but I mourn with you I’m not black, but I will fight for you ?” - @lifewcourt well said. ??????????

A post shared by Shay Mitchell (@shaymitchell) on May 30, 2020 at 12:31pm PDT

Mitchell has also shared resources for several organizations she supports, including the Black Doctor Covid Consortium, which provides COVID testing in the black community, an area that has been disproportionately affected by coronavirus, the Re:Store Justice, which helps to reform sentencing, Unicorn Riot, which focuses on environmental issues, Black Visions Collective, a Black LGBTQ group helping to dismantle forms of oppression, Data For Black Lives, Girl Trek, the ACLU, Campaign Zero, and FreeFrom.Org. “These organizations are going to need our help longer than 24 hours from now,” wrote Mitchell in her Instagram stories, adding links to the organizations in her highlights section.[video_embed id='1969253']RELATED: Canadian writer Kathleen Newman-Bremang breaks down how you can be an effective ally[/video_embed]Mitchell also linked to influencer Given Sharp, whose analogy of using a house on fire to explain why the statement All Lives Matter is offensive. Singer Billie Eilish used the same analogy in her post from May 30 that discussed the important of the Black Lives Matter movement and why people need to acknowledge their own privilege.In support of #BlackoutTuesday, Mitchell posted an all-black image on her account, like many other celebs. The campaign was started by music executives Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyeman, using the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused, “in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard. We will not continue to conduct business as usual without regard for Black lives.” The movement has expanded beyond the music industry to other business and individuals who are going silent on June 2 to help amplify the voices of black people who are often silenced.[video_embed id='1969152']RELATED: Beyoncé and Jay-Z demand justice for George Floyd[/video_embed]