Country artists and a NASCAR superstar are outraged by last weekend’s violence and loss of life in Charlottesville, Virginia, and they are expressing those feelings through social media — calling for an end to bigotry and hate.

As reported by Rare Country, Tim McGraw expressed his thoughts through the poignant lyrics of one of his award-winning songs: “This cannot stand. These days surely MUST be behind us #StayHumbleandKind #charlottesville.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had this to say: “Hatred, bigotry and racism should have no place in this great country. Spread love.”

After the mother of Charlottesville victim Heather Heyer spoke movingly at her Aug. 16 funeral, Blake Shelton tweeted, “Incredible words from … Susan Bro. If you missed it, look for it. What a strong and inspiring person.”

They were not alone in their frustration and appeals for peace and understanding.

Singer and actress Jennifer Nettles posted a moving image with a powerful message. In it, she protectively cuddles a young, multi-racial family member, writing: “This is my beautiful niece. Love is stronger than hate. Nazi and white supremacist hate speech is not welcomed here. Period. #charlottesville.”

Multiple award winner Kacey Musgraves expressed deep sadness this way: “Bawling watching this. It’s so excruciating to see such evil abandon for the human kind.” 

Other country stars, including Brothers Osborne, Kip Moore and Maren Morris, also posted their thoughts on the heartbreaking incident. Wrote Moore, “It starts with each one of us individually if we wanna change what the world looks like.”  And, in a message that may have been directed at his fellow celebrities, Moore added, “Take a break from your 100^th bathroom selfie and pay attention to what’s taking place around you.” Meanwhile, new country singer Michael Ray shared an image of two interlocking hands – one white, one African American – to express his feelings.

And a larger national dialogue continues as details of the tragedy unfold. A group of white nationalists gathered in Charlottesville on Aug. 12 for a “Unite the Right” march to protest the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee, the Confederacy’s top general, from Emancipation Park. The removal of Confederate monuments has also stirred up anger in cities like Nashville, New Orleans, and Durham, N.C., where protesters toppled a statue of a Confederate soldier.

The protest in Charlottesville was met with counter-protesters, and taunting led to shoving, which escalated to fighting and ended in tragedy when a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters, killing Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal from Charlottesville. Two Virginia state troopers also died Aug. 12. Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper Berke M. Bates were in a helicopter monitoring the protests when the aircraft crashed and burst into flames. In all, at least 34 people were wounded in the clashes, and Gov. Terry McAullife of Virginia declared a state of emergency.

The United States has been rocked by this unimaginable and difficult to process turn of events. But the songwriters and country artists who are so adept at communicating the subtleties of life and the meaning in the most tragic moments are stepping up to share their feelings, thoughts and sympathies to those directly affected. 

Morris’ post summed it up this way: “Extremely sad at the seething hatred that still lives here. I just don’t know what to say anymore. We’re better than this. #Charlottesville.”

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