On Sunday June 28, the 20th annual BET Awards went live. In honor of black culture, Beyoncé received the prestigious Humanitarian Award. As an advocate for black lives and organizations around the world, Queen B used this moment to talk to viewers about an important social topic.
“Your voices are being heard and you’re proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain,” she said in a pre-recorded acceptance speech. “Now we have one more thing we need to do to walk in our true power and that is to vote. I’m encouraging you to continue to take action. Continue to change and dismantle the racist and unequal system.”
Outside of accepting her speech, what is the powerful message Beyoncé wanted us to receive? “We have to vote like our life depends on it, because it does.”
She received her award by friend and former First Lady, Michelle Obama, who spoke on the impact Beyoncé has had on many people.
“To my girl, I just want to say you inspire me,” Obama said. “You inspire all of us.”
With everything that has happened this year, it is easy to get distracted. With the 2020 presidential elections quickly approaching, the singer wants to remind people the importance of being the change in this world. According to Beyoncé, “There are people banking on us staying at home during local elections and primaries happening in states across the country.”
Get educated. Be brave. Go vote.
