Ryan Reynolds Once Apologized For His And Blake Lively's Wedding

In an Instagram post, Blake Lively wrote, "We're ashamed that in the past we've allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is." She acknowledged that, unlike African-American parents, she won't have to tell her kids, James, Betty, and Inez (and her child whose arrival Lively announced on the red carpet in September 2022), how to stay safe if they're pulled over. The "Gossip Girl" breakout also noted that she's raising her children with independent thinking skills to break the cycle of racism. 

As the actor detailed: "We talk about our bias, blindness, and our own mistakes." Having these conversations with her kids has not only educated them but also herself too. While many celebrities stress the importance of thoroughly researching a presidential candidate before casting their vote, Lively promised that she would do her due diligence before voting in the local elections to ensure that her vote doesn't go to someone whose values aren't aligned with justice. 

She also revealed that the couple made a $200,000 donation to NAACP Legal Defense Fund, an organization fighting racial injustice. In the past, Lively was accused of cultural appropriation after posting a picture of herself with the caption: "L.A face with an Oakland booty," referencing Sir-Mix-a-Lot's iconic hit, "Baby Got Back." She defended herself on Shade 45, claiming that she was simply celebrating her curves, in line with the song's message, and that she wasn't trying to appropriate Black culture (via Grazia magazine).