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India.Arie 'Stands Up' for Chrisette Michele

Read her open letter explaining why she's speaking out.

Although Donald Trump's inauguration day has now come and gone, Chrisette Michele is still receiving all sorts of backlash regarding her decision to participate in the historic, albeit controversial, event.

While she does not regret her decision to be involved and remains grateful to have sparked an important dialogue, something that she plans on continuing with the release of her forthcoming spoken word album No Political Genius, the music industry at large is not pleased with the singer, save for her longtime friend India.Arie, who has come forward this week to stand up for Michele.

India.Arie has expressed, in the form of an open letter, that while she would "never" have performed for Trump herself, she feels as though Michele does have the right to decide for herself. 

She goes on to explain that she feels as though Michele is being "abused by strangers" for her choice to perform at the inauguration, a decision she refers to as a "misstep."

Take a look at Indie.Arie's open letter in full below as well as Chrisette Michele's reaction to her friend's support.

All who have been asleep and are now “woke”
THE MOST “WOKE”  THING WE CAN DO?   IS LOVE,
Not fluffy, pink, new age love. LOVE as in,  THE RADICAL VIBRATION THAT IS LOVE!  LOVE IN ACTION.
Stop the petty talk - AND USE OUR ENERGY FOR THE HIGHEST GOOD. WE ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN WE KNOW when we are making “woke”  or what I call, “high consciousness”  choices.
IF WE CAN JUST FOCUS OUR ATTENTION WHERE IT MATTERS, WE CAN AFFECT CHANGE.
We are a PASSIONATE PEOPLE! and it’s beautiful, now lets use out power and passion consciously. SO, this, and things of the like, are your FUEL for your flight, if you so choose.

AND SO YES.

I (don’t have to AGREE with Chrisette to)  Stand up for Chrisette

I stand for Love

I stand for acceptance

I stand for social responsibility

I stand for peace

I stand for you

I stand for me

I stand for US

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