ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Jesse Williams Gave a Powerful Speech on Racism at the BET Awards

“Just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we ain’t real.”

Published
Entertainment
1 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

Jesse Williams (of Grey’s Anatomy fame) was conferred the Humanitarian Award at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, where he took the opportunity to deliver a powerful speech on the rights of black people.

He received a standing ovation from the crowd for his speech.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Williams, a prominent Black Lives Matter activist spoke about Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old who was shot by a white police officer in 2014, who would have turned 14 on Saturday.

He spoke about the racism people face, despite the year being 2016.

So what’s going to happen is we’re going to have equal rights and justice in our own country or we will restructure their function in ours.
Jesse Williams

As a celebrity, he has access to a platform and money, which he said has not changed or stopped anything. Dedicating their lives to making money, celebrities use their bodies to advertise brands (which isn’t very different from the branding black people had to undergo) is what his speech emphasised on.

0

Celebrities came out in full support of Williams’ speech on Twitter.

They quoted what he said on and off the stage.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Justin Timberlake ruffled some feathers with his response to the speech.

He was, however, quick to apologise for his remarks.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from entertainment

Topics:  #BlackLivesMatter 

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×