“Open your eyes. You keep saying you don’t know what’s going on on television; what’s happening to us. Open your eyes-and if you look how I look, then you know how we got here…” words were spoken by on national television yesterday, September 19, 2017.
It is clear whom his speech was directed, why and for whom the message was for. Pharrell Williams is one of the few internationally known Blacks in America, that has chosen to use their platform to make a moral and political difference. He is a producer, music writer, a humanitarian and so much more… the youngest faced OG if Black America told it.
Every opportunity he gets, he aims to encourage Americans to want the American dream promised to us. With his accomplishments, it is no surprise he was able to pull off his highjacking at the Hip-Hop Honors Awards.
Pharrell’s speech was a call to the youth, Blacks in America, the foreigners, the Whites in America, and the rest of the world. The time has come for us all to unite, and rise against our common oppressor. His message was loud; if it applies, answer.
As a Black man in America, waking up to leave the safety of my home is a risk. A risk that causes paranoia, which leads to illnesses that take our lives… when America itself hasn’t.
Metaphorically speaking, Pharrell’s speech is that one text message we have in our inbox, unread and with no signs of a response in its future. But this is a different situation that calls for action. Innocent lives are at stake every day we leave that message unread. Again, if his speech sparked a fuse in you, the time to react is now. Heed the call and realize your worth is more than America has been paying.
Pharrell, You’re Doing Fine Sweetie!