LONDON - British singer Sam Smith has expressed his disbelief at seeing a friend racially abused in London.
In a series of tweets the "Stay With Me" singer said that he was left "speechless" after witnessing the event on a night out in the capital.
Just experienced my friend getting verbally abused racially in London. I am absolutely SPEECHLESS.— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
I never ever ever ever thought that would happen here. Absolutely speechless and hurt.— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
I feel like I have to shine some sort of light on it. The police were so unhelpful in the situation and its deeply shocked me.— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
Humans are HUMANS— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
I feel like I have to say something. I'm just so upset. So UPSET— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
However his tweets have left the nation (or at least Twitter) divided, after he admitted that he was 'shocked' that racism still goes on in modern society.
Sam Smith is surprised racism exists in the UK. Unrelated: he won best male, R&B act, song and album at 2014 MOBOs. https://t.co/JfzNVJTygI— Thomas Seal (@TW_Seal) January 20, 2016
A little upset that Sam Smith is shocked about racism. POC talk about racism all the time & you're only shocked when you're a witness?...— Made In War Time (@mediamogulbitch) January 20, 2016
Sam smith been winning top awards at the mobos but never wondered if racism existed. I despair.— Susuana (@Susuana_Xx) January 20, 2016
What I want to know is what Sam Smith thought before his exposure? Like, did he think the BLM movement was for a non-existent cause?— Brandon (@brandonnembhard) January 20, 2016
This Sam Smith thing is just... how has he existed in this bubble where he has never noticed racism is a real problem in this country?— Kate Holden (@darthmongoose) January 20, 2016
Some people have also commended Sam for speaking out about his ordeal.
Sorry but why are people angry with @samsmithworld for being upset over racism...would you prefer he didn't care? Idiots.— Yorkshire Problems (@yorkshireprobs) January 20, 2016
So bravo, @samsmithworld… I know a lot of people who wouldn't have used their platform to expose racism, because it's not safe.— Hempstian Grey (@UncleHemp) January 20, 2016
Surely Sam Smith can understand and ackowledge that racism exists but, still be shocked to witness it first hand?— TSPSI (@TSPSI) January 20, 2016
Smith, who won four MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) awards in 2014, ended his series of tweet with: "I just got home and Nina Simone is on the radio - fitting."
I just got home and Nina Simone is on the radio - fitting— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 20, 2016
Leaving a few other Twitter users to counterattack.
Sam Smith didn't know racism was a thing but he listens to Nina Simone. pic.twitter.com/8QRlVbyMto— Sista Big Bones (@TeriAmour) January 20, 2016