At Sunday night's BET Awards, actor and advocate of the Black Lives Matter movement, Jesse Williams received the 2016 Humanitarian Award and his words were everything America needed to hear. During his acceptance speech, he took time to dig deep into issues of police killings and racism towards the black community. Williams didn't hold back as he called out oppressors for "gentrifying our genius," and advised all others, "If you have no interest in equal rights for black people then do not make suggestions to people that do, sit down."
The audience cheered him on as he spoke of the upward quest for freedom and shouted out black women for birthing and prioritizing nurturing generations before taking the time to care for themselves. He ended his speech with the poignant line, "Just because we're magic doesn't mean we're not real."
*Drops mic.*
"Just because we're magic, doesn't mean we're not real." pic.twitter.com/fYyDFtZXry
— MM (@melaninmamis) June 27, 2016
@iJesseWilliams had a couple of minutes and used every last drop. A master class in illustrating and driving home a vision #Bet
— Rashad Robinson (@rashadrobinson) June 27, 2016
"For the Black women in particular who've spent their lifetime dedicated to nurturing everyone but themselves."
— fried plantains (@glenpalmtree) June 27, 2016
—Jesse Williams #BETAwards
JESSE WILLIAMS GOT THE HARDEST BARS IN THE ROOM FULL OF RAPPERS
— Lovelace (@Ecalevol) June 27, 2016
So many gems. #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/HYNvWFSGXh
— Jasmyn (@JasmynBeKnowing) June 27, 2016
#JesseWilliams This man is the truth. He makes such a phenomenal activist. One of the best speeches I've ever heard in my life. #BetAwards
— Ashley Bloomfield (@assshcash1) June 27, 2016
#JesseWilliams just read the U.S. of A for filth during his Humanitarian Award acceptance… https://t.co/tA4FYQwajW pic.twitter.com/JXQSZw5QyX
— YBF CHIC (@TheYBF) June 27, 2016
Jesse Williams for President.
— Lenny S (@kodaklens) June 27, 2016
Best. Speech. Ever. #BETAwards2016 #JesseWilliams
Yes #JesseWilliams Truly deserves this Humanitarian Award #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/x3Ymuh8Poo
— Adina☯ (@MusicJunkie89) June 27, 2016