Singer Christina Aguilera last week
released a new song dedicated to the victims of a mass shooting at a
gay nightclub in Orlando.
Forty-nine people died and dozens were
injured in last Sunday's attack on the Pulse nightclub.
“The horrific tragedy that occurred
in Orlando continues to weigh heavily on my mind,” Aguilera
wrote in releasing the song on her website. “I am sending so
much love and so many prayers to the victims and their families. Like
so many, I want to help be part of the change this world needs to
make it a beautiful inclusive place where humanity can love each
other freely and passionately.”
“Though there is such heavy sadness I
believe that there is much more love in the world than we know. We
need to learn to love again, we need to learn that one person does
make a difference; we need to keep love in our hearts. As Nelson
Mandela once said, 'No one is born hating another person because of
the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People
must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught
to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its
opposite,'” she added.
The single, titled Change, was
released on iTunes. A lyric video of the song was posted on Vevo and
YouTube.
People
reported that “at least Eighty-Five Cents ($.85) from each
download sale of [Change] will be donated to the National
Compassion Fund,” which in turn will distribute the donations
“directly” to the families of the victims.