There has been lots of chatter about Jesse Williams' spectacular speech last night as the recipient of the 2016 BET Humanitarian Award. This young man was oozing with enlightenment and encouragement, all for the world to see.
The thing that resonated with me was his acknowledgement of, and appreciation for, black women and the fact that too often we're at the forefront of struggles to make changes, and yet while we're taking care of everyone else, few people are taking care of us.
In acknowledging that this award is to be shared with others, he said, “Now, this is also in particular for the black women in particular who have spent their lifetimes dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves. We can and will do better for you.”
How many times have we heard this?
Right.
Not many.
One of the articles I read about the speech compared Jesse to President Obama, a biracial man who chose a sho' nuff, no doubt about it, black woman as his wife. So too, has this young man.
Should this make a difference?
Should it matter?
You decide.
Whichever way the wind blows for you, this I can say with confidence.
I can't help but be filled with pride when I see someone - young, gifted, and talented (and truth be told could have any woman he wanted) - who makes a choice to chose someone who looks like me.
Does this invalidate those who choose otherwise?
No.
But from my side of the fence, I appreciate the validation.
And this was just one of many truths he spoke.
He was on fire!
Cultural appropriation anyone?
If you haven't seen his speech, check it out in the previous post, or google Jesse Williams BET.
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