TLC Singer Chilli Doesn't Think Race Of Ahmaud Arbery Jurors Should Matter

BY Erika Marie 1.5K Views
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TLC Chilli
Eleven out of 12 of the jurors in the case are white, and Chilli says we have to believe they are "kind, good-hearted" people who will be "fair."

It was a shocking case that stole the attention of all corners of the United States and the controversy surrounding Ahmaud Arbery's slaying has only intensified in recent weeks. It was in February 2020 when the 25-year-old was jogging in his Georgia neighborhood and was chased by father and son Travis and Gregory McMichael in a pickup truck. Upon confronting Ahmaud, the McMichael's, who were also joined by another acquaintance who followed in a separate vehicle, shot and killed the young man. They suspected that he was a thief stealing for homes in the neighborhood but Ahmaud was just out for a run.

The three suspects have remained incarcerated until the trial and it was recently shared that out of the 12 jurors selected, only one was Black. TMZ caught up with TLC singer Chilli, real name Rozanda Thomas, and asked her about the juror selection. To Chilli, the skin color or backgrounds of jurors shouldn't make a difference.

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"We have to believe that there are kind, good-hearted people out there no matter what color they are so I would say, let's look at it like that," she said. "Just because it's not the same skin color doesn't mean that they wouldn't be fair because to me it's pretty obvious what happened. We can just pray and hope that they would see the same thing."

The backlash was heavy for the music icon because people began pointing out dozens upon dozens of documented cases such as this within American history. Watch her video with TMZ and check out footage from the McMichaels' trial below.



About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.