Soul singer Chaka Khan told HuffPost’s BlackVoices Friday that she is “boycotting” the state of Florida following the outcome of the George Zimmerman trial. The powerhouse vocalist said that she already cancelled a booking in Florida last week.
She told BlackVoices’ Brennan Williams that the trial was a “travesty,” and an indication that racism is “very much alive and well” in America.
Khan will appear in her hometown of Chicago this weekend for a number of events – including the unveiling of her own street, ‘Chaka Khan Way.’
TheGrio | Stevie Wonder boycotts Florida following George Zimmerman verdict
Khan is not the first high-profile entertainer to express opposition to performing in Florida. Earlier this month, Stevie Wonder told an audience in Quebec City, Canada:
“I decided today that until the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again. As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.”
Last March, Khan joined other celebrities and entertainers in a musical tribute to Trayvon Martin. The song, entitled, “Super Life,” included vocals from other R&B singers such as Eric Benet, Kelly Price and Luke James:
Khan said she is willing to perform another musical tribute to honor Trayvon Martin’s life – as long as it’s not in the state of Florida.
To read the rest of the interview click here.