Amid the social, economic, and racial issues raised by Black Lives Matter, is there a space for celebrity activism?

Michell Chresfield and Scott Lucas of the University of Birmingham examine the question, as well as the portrayal of Black women in the media, and the future of Black Lives Matter in the UK.

Black celebrities are told, “You shouldn’t be intervening in these affairs. Stick to entertaining us.”

When Kanye West says something Kanye-ish and runs for President, people don’t say, “That’s terrible. Kanye should not be in politics.” When others speak out, people say, “Ooh, wait a minute. Are we crossing lines here?