What’s up y’all?
It’s Emile Ennis Jr. here with Clevver News and over the weekend, Beyoncé gave a powerful
statement on the Black Lives Matter movement and sexism in the music industry during YouTube’s
“Dear Class of 2020” virtual graduation ceremony.
The video already has hundreds of thousands of views and is still one of the top trending
videos on YouTube.
Beyonce started off her speech by congratulating the graduating seniors who have persisted
through an unprecedented time in this country.
And she added quote, “You are achieving things your parents and grandparents never
could imagine for themselves.
You are the answer to a generation of prayers.”
Beyoncé thanked the class of 2020 for using their voices and praised the Black Lives Matter
protests that are taking place around the country .
And Bey also touched on some other issues that are important to her like the sexism
that is still prevalent in the music industry.
She reflected on her career navigating the entertainment industry and how she had to
carve her own path
to success.
Beyoncé went on to explain that in order to own her future and write her own story,
she did what she had to do.
She ran her label and management company, directed her own films, produced her own tours,
owned the masters to her music, and owned her own art.
Beyonce said quote, “Not enough Black women had a seat at the table.
So I had to go and chop down that wood and build my own table.
Then I had to invite the best there was to have a seat.
That meant hiring women, men outsiders, underdogs, people that were overlooked and waiting to
be seen.”
She spoke about how race and gender have both played a part in the music industry overlooking
some very talented people.
She explained that quote, “Many of the best creatives and business people, who although
supremely qualified and talented, were turned down over and over as executives at major
corporations because they were female or because of racial disparity.
And I’ve been very proud to provide them with a place at my table.
One of the main purposes of my art for many years has been dedicated to showing the beauty
of Black people to the world, our history, our profundity and the value of Black lives.”
And Beyoncé also addressed the class of 2020 as future leaders, she said quote, “To the
young women, our future leaders, know that you’re about to make the world turn.
I see you.
You are everything the world needs.
Make those power moves.
Be excellent.
And to the young kings, lean into your vulnerability and redefine masculinity.
Lead with heart.
There’s so many different ways to be brilliant.”
But she didn’t stop there, she made sure that everyone was included in her hope for
the future.
Beyonce said quote, “To all those who feel different.
If you’re part of a group that’s called ‘other,’ a group that does not get the
chance to be center stage, build your own stage and make them see you.
Your queerness is beautiful, your blackness is beautiful.
Your compassion, your understanding, your fight for people who may be different from
you, is beautiful.
I hope you continue to go into the world and show them that you will never stop being yourself.
That it’s your time now, make them see you.”
I mean seriously, y’all what did we do to deserve Beyoncé, this spoke to my soul, and
it did for many of her fans too.
They took to the comment section of the YouTube Original video to praise Queen Bey for her
powerful speech.
One person wrote quote, “This is how to give a speech.
This is how to motivate people and let them see all works of life.
Not just glorifying success, but telling them to be ready to fail and use that failure as
a stepping stone to greatness.
I'm still learning, still growing, and glad I watched this video.”
Another person acknowledged that this video is touching more than just the graduating
seniors, they wrote quote, “Why do I feel like her speech is not just for Class of 2020?
Her message is really indeed applicable for every human being that is still alive and
fighting this year 2020.”
And others said things like “This.
On repeat.
Everyday.” and “we need Beyoncé as president.”
But Beyoncé wasn’t the only celeb involved in the “Dear Class of 2020” virtual graduation
ceremony.
It also featured some words of encouragement from Barack and Michelle Obama, BTS, Billie
Eilish, Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Lady Gaga, Yara Shahidi, and more.
And there were also musical performances from Chloe x Halle, Lizzo, Alicia Keys, Megan Thee
Stallion, the New York Philharmonic, and Katy Perry.
The entire ceremony was over 4 and a half hours, and is jam packed with celebrity appearances.
It’s still up on YouTube if you want to go check it out.
I know I didn’t graduate this year, but the entire ceremony had me feeling inspired.
And if you were feeling inspired as well, we’ve linked resources down in the description
below with ways to get involved with the Black Lives Matter movement.
And please take a moment and click right over here to watch this video to know why the Black
Lives Matter movement is so important to us here at Clevver.
And feel free to keep the conversation going down in the comments below and share your
thoughts about both Beyoncé’s speech and the entire graduation ceremony.
I’m your host, Emile Ennis Jr., bye guys!