Following the death of George Floyd and amid protests that are taking place across the country, a 12-year-old boy has gone viral for a moving video that shows him singing about life as a “young black man,” according to ABC News.
Keedron Bryant — a gospel singer who recently appeared on season 4 of NBC’s “Little Big Shots” — shared the video on Instagram earlier this week, with the caption, “Just singing what’s on my heart....hope this blesses someone.”
The video has almost 2 million views and was referenced by former President Barack Obama in a statement about Floyd’s death. It has also been shared by a wide range of celebrities, including singer Janet Jackson, NBA player LeBron James and actress Eva Longoria, according to ABC.
The song has gone viral following Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, when a police officer kneeled on Floyd’s neck while the man repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe, according to CBS News. Floyd’s death has led to protests across the country.
In the video, Keedron sings: “I’m a young black man / doing all that I can / to stand” and “I just want to live / God, protect me / I just want to live,” according to People.
The lyrics were written by Keedron’s mom, Johnetta Bryant, who told Good Morning America the song was a response to recent events.
“It’s impossible to ignore what we as black people are up against, daily,” Johnetta Bryant told GMA.
Obama posted a statement to Twitter on Friday, saying a friend had shared the “powerful song” to “describe the frustrations that he was feeling.”
“The circumstances of my friend and Keedron may be different, but their anguish is the same,” Obama wrote. “It’s shared by me and millions of others.”
Other prominent figures have shared and praised Keedron’s video.
“I LOVE YOU KID! I LOVE US!” LeBron James wrote in an Instagram post sharing the video.
“He should not have to sing this song,” actress Lupita N’Yongo posted on Instagram.
The NAACP also shared Keedron’s video on Twitter with the caption, “Thank you #KeedronBryant for the reminder that asking for equity and equality in this country isn’t asking for too much!”