Bretman Rock Says Influencers Have Been "Too Quiet" About Black Lives Matter

While many celebrities have chosen to be vocal about their support for Black Lives Matter this week, others have gone silent. Beauty YouTuber Bretman Rock is holding the latter group accountable for that and making a case for why being too quiet is the wrong move to make.

Last week, Rock took to Instagram Stories to share a handful of videos addressing the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests that are now taking place across the country and beyond. As always, he was honest in his feelings and did not hold back. "I want more people to listen. I want more people to be aware of what's really going on in the political climate," he said at the start of the video, which has since been posted to Reddit.

"As an influencer, I have to say this: Some people have just been too quiet lately, not using their voice. Yes, tweeting things is cute and all, but that is not using your voice. That is not using your influence. It's not," Rock continued. "People need to hear your voice to really know... The excuses that I've been seeing [are] lame. Like, you don't want to talk about Black Lives Matter because you're afraid of losing brand deals? You're worried about fucking money, bitch? Right now?"

Rock isn't the only one to address this issue as of late. Fellow influencer Daniella Perkins also addressed the harms of being silent. "Sometimes it takes ppl to see their role models in action for them to be brave enough to join in. Flood my timeline. #BLM," she posted.

White people and fellow allies must speak out and use their platforms for change. From Billie Eilish to Ariana Grande, we've seen many step up and do that over the past week. Influencers have a unique position to do so, as Rock points out. "I don't even know any brand that would pull the plug on brand deals if you talk about things like this... People are not talking about it for their own self-benefit. That is not an influencer to me. I'm so sorry," he concluded in his video. And, preach.

Ways to show support:

• Where to Donate to Support the Black Lives Matter Movement Right Now

• Supporting Black People in Beauty Goes Deeper Than Buying Black

• Why Following Black Beauty Professionals Is Important Now and Always

Now watch Bretman Rock's 10-minute morning face:

Follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox.

Originally Appeared on Allure