The Black Lives Matter movement represents hundreds, thousands of years of real pain, Stormzy has told the BBC.<\/p>\n
In a short video feature in which the rapper surprised a young fan by painting his bedroom in recognition of his positive behaviour at school, Stormzy said he wanted the movement to show what it means to be black.<\/p>\n
Addressing criticisms of the protests and the response that all lives matter, he said: If we werent oppressed, we wouldnt be shouting, we would just be living our lives.<\/p>\n
He continued: I want you to understand that were not just crying or just shouting, acting like only black lives matter: that this is a real pain. This aint some sort of trend. This is real life and this has been our reality for hundreds, thousands of years.<\/p>\n
He said he had attended the recent London Black Lives Matter protests but hadnt spoken in public. I dont have answers, he said. Were all just standing together and cheering.<\/p>\n
Stormzy was participating in a benefit organised by Good Guys Decorating, a social enterprise that dedicates a premium charge made by paying clients to providing free decorating for people in need.<\/p>\n
In June, Stormzy announced that he would dedicate 10m over 10 years to black British causes,. He described it as the beginning of a lifetime commitment.<\/p>\n
Announcing the plan, he said: I am not the UKs shining example of what supposedly happens when a black person works hard Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long and this pledge is a continuation in the fight to finally try and even it.<\/p>\n
It follows his creation of a dedicated scholarship fund to send two black UK students to Cambridge every year. Derek Owusu, an author published by Stormzys #Merky Books imprint, recently won the Desmond Elliott prize for the years best debut novel.<\/p>\n
Stormzy also explained why he had deleted his social media platforms in February. I dont need to consume that much, he said. I feel like youve got to protect the mental [health].<\/p>\n
Join Guardian journalists and guests for a live online event, Black and British: expressions of black masculinity, exploring what it means to navigate modern Britain as a young black man, on Thursday 30 July, 7pm. <\/p>\n
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Stormzy on Black Lives Matter: 'If we weren't oppressed, we wouldn't be shouting' - The Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Black Lives Matter movement represents hundreds, thousands of years of real pain, Stormzy has told the BBC. Continue reading