Jada Pinkett Smith writes emotional post about shootings before son's birthday
Jada Pinkett Smith took to Facebook on Thursday, one day ahead of her son Jaden Smith's birthday, to decry the recent spate of police-involved violence throughout the week.
"As I prepare to celebrate the life of my son tomorrow for his 18th birthday, I also mourn our recent losses in Orlando, Turkey, Baghdad and that of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile," Pinkett Smith wrote in her emotional post.
"I don't take for granted that my black male child is still with me to hold. With that gratitude, my heart goes out to the mothers who will not have their sons or daughters to hold on their child's next birthday. Those mothers are sitting in my thoughts tonight," Smith's post continued.
Pinkett Smith's powerful message was shared following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, who were shot and killed by police earlier this week in separate incidents in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Falcon Heights, Minnesota, respectively.
Violence also broke out late Thursday evening when police officers were targeted by a gunman at an anti-police brutality protest in Dallas, Texas. Authorities report that five officers died while six others were injured.
"How do we end this heinous violence that affects us ALL?" Pinkett Smith concluded her poignant post. "I'm at a loss."
Earlier on Thursday, actress Halle Berry shared similar sentiments in an emotional Instagram post, where the actress wrote in the caption below of photo of her 2-year-old son, Mateo, "What will my brown son's future be? What will your brown son's future be? The uncertainty is real. I beg you not to be a bystander in this life, but to go out and find ways to make peaceful change."
On Thursday, Beyonce also weighed in on the recent tragedies. The "Freedom" singer penned an emotionally charged open letter, posted to her official website, writing, "We don't need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives."