Angelina Jolie Amid The Black Lives Matter Protests: ‘It’s Time To Make Changes’

KEY POINTS

Angelina Jolie talked about her realization following the lockdown
Jolie voiced out her stand against racism and discrimination
Jolie called for action to address structural racism and impunity
Jolie revealed she’s been monitoring BLM activists online
She previously donated to NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Angelina Jolie, who’s notable for her charity and humanitarian causes, has finally spoken her thoughts amid the ongoing world crisis — the battle against COVID-19, racial inequality and injustice.

Jolie, who was appointed Special Envoy by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2012, revealed that, despite her involvement with the said organization and numerous field missions around the world to aid refugees and internally displaced persons, the effects of COVID-19 pandemic made her rethink about the sufferings and needs within her own country.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie presents the Nansen prize to Yemen's Society for Humanitarian Solidarity and its founder, Nasser Salim Ali Al-Hamairy (not pictured) at a ceremony in Geneva October 3, 2011. Reuters

In an interview with Harpers Bazaar, Jolie said that she could not tolerate a system that may not able to protect her daughter or any other man, woman or child in the U.S. because of their skin color. Jolie said that millions of people around the world flee their homes because of war and persecution yet, unfortunately, racism and discrimination were rampant in the U.S.

Jolie further stated that putting an end to abuses in policing was just a start. However, other aspects in society such as the education system and politics needed to be changed too.

Jolie called for action —emphasizing that progress should go beyond sympathy. The “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” said that laws and policies to address “structural racism and impunity” were needed.

“It’s time to make changes in our laws and our institutions —listening to those who have been most affected and whose voices have been excluded,” the 45-year-old actress said.

Three out of her six children with Brad Pitt were adopted. Maddox, 18, was born in Cambodia; Pax, 16, was born in Vietnam and Zahara, 15, was born in Ethiopia.

Angelina Jolie and kids — Angelina Jolie spent some quality time with her twins, Knox and Vivienne. Pictured: (L-R) Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt, Knox Leon Jolie-Pitt and Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt attend the premiere of 'First they Killed my Father' at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario on September 11, 2017. Getty Images/Valerie Macon

Pitt’s ex-wife, in the same interview, revealed that she has been monitoring the Black Lives Matter activists online.

Protesters march in Sydney in solidarity with US Black Lives Matter demonstrators, and to demand an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody AFPTV / Andrew LEESON

Jolie, on her birthday (June 4), showed her support against racial injustice by donating $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Jolie’s donation came in amid the worldwide protests following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others, Metro UK reported.

NAACP Legal Defense Fund has fought for racial equality and social justice. The organization’s urgent call for legislative reform has been reportedly supported by Pitt’s ex.

Jolie has supported numerous charities and foundations, including Global Action for Children, Afghanistan Relief Organization, Kids in Need of Defense, UNICEF, Women in the World Foundation, Yele Haiti Foundation and more, according to Look to the Stars.