Jessica Alba says she’s talked with her young daughters about the ongoing racial issues at the heart of the nationwide unrest a week after a police killing of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis.
‘When I see all of the hateful, racist activity that has been happening, you realize what really matters,’ the Pomona, California native, 33, told People on Tuesday. ‘Honor and Haven are online more than ever, so they’re exposed to this.
The mom-of-three – to daughters Honor, 12, and Haven, eight, and son Hayes, two, with husband Cash Warren, 41 – noted that the issues land especially close to home, as her ‘kids are black and Mexican so there’s a connection to what’s happening.’
Candid: Jessica Alba, 39, says she’s talked with her young daughters about the ongoing racial issues at the heart of the nationwide unrest a week after a police killing of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis
The Sin City star took a realistic approach toward solving the ongoing racial, legal and socioeconomic issues that touch all aspect of American life.
‘It’s not happening any time soon and it’s so devastating,’ Alba said. ‘It’s a systemic racism that’s in the veins of our criminal-justice system. It’s just set up to oppress black and brown and “other” people.’
Alba took into account her own good fortune as a wealthy Hollywood staple, admitting that she and her family are in ‘the bubble … which we talk to the kids about, as well.’
The Dear Eleanor actress said that she’s been well aware of cultural issues amid her decades in Hollywood, saying she always aimed to shatter long-established Tinseltown stereotypes that often marginalized minorities.
Parenting: Alba said she had a frank exchange about current events with her daughters Honor, 12, (L) and Haven, eight
No more: The actress and mogul declared she experienced ‘tears and rage’ learning about the death of George Floyd after a run-in with Minneapolis police
‘I always fought against stigmas and stereotypes,’ said Alba, who came to prominence playing the roles of Max Guevera, X5-452 and X5-453 on the James Cameron show Dark Angel. ‘From day one, I wanted to prove that in Hollywood you can be a Mexican girl and you can be the girl next door.’
The Flipper beauty, who parlayed her Hollywood career into her billion dollar business, The Honest Company, said that her travails in the business world have shown her ‘that you can wear different hats and that women can be bosses and leaders’ and ‘create businesses that are good for people, good for the planet and can do good. And make money!’
She said that in addition to the aforementioned societal ails, massive reform is concurrently needed in the business world, where she says ‘corporate America is set up to oppress women.’
Alba added: ‘You’re not being paid as much or given the same opportunities. Boardrooms aren’t 50-50 and women aren’t getting funding for companies.’
Alba said she’s also spoken with her daughters about the gender imbalance, saying parents ‘have to have these conversations that feel difficult when it comes to equality and social justice.
‘All these conversations can be had and you can start early with them. I did. Because that’s how you’re going to give them the fire to make sure that that isn’t their reality.’
The national unrest began a week ago in Minneapolis when Floyd, a 46-year-old security guard, died May 25 after police officer Derek Chauvin – who has since been fired and charged in the incident – kneeled on the back of his neck (while he was handcuffed), rendering him unable to breathe in a horrifying incident that was caught on camera.
In the incident, arresting officers said Floyd matched the description of a forgery suspect, and subsequently resisted them when they took him into custody.
Using her platform: Alba on Wednesday shared a clip about how systemic racism corrodes society
Get to the polls: Alba encouraged her fans to make their voices heard in this election year
In an accompanying clip, Chauvin was seen pinning his knee into the back of Floyd’s neck as Floyd pleaded with him to relent.
‘Please, please, please, I can’t breathe … please, man … my stomach hurts, my neck hurts, everything hurts … I can’t breathe,’ he said.
Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, while prosecutors on Wednesday announced that the trio of officers he was with – Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao – are stand accused of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the deadly incident.
All four of the men were fired from the police department last week.
The incident has drawn parallels to the Los Angeles riots of 1992 which broke out after police were acquitted in their trial over the beating of Rodney King, which was caught on video camera. In the five days of rioting, more than 60 people died, 2,000-plus were hurt and damages to destroyed property topped $1 billion.