Black Lives Matter protests have been happening all over the country and globe. Today, John Boyega attended a protest in Hyde Park, London and delivered a passionate speech about the movement and the NEED for change.
John Boyega is known in the mainstream for his role in Star Wars, but I'm here to highlight his work as an agent of change:
I really fucking hate racists.
Can't get more to the point than that.
John used his platform in this moment to not only talk about the murder of George Floyd, but also of so many other black men and women we have lost due to police brutality:
We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd. We are a physical representation of our support for Sandra Bland. We are a physical representation of our support for Trayvon Martin. We are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence.
"I’m speaking to you from my heart," he continued. "Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but fuck that."
"Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process, we don’t know what George Floyd could have achieved, we don’t know what Sandra Bland could have achieved, but today we’re going to make sure that won’t be an alien thought to our young ones."
John began to cry as he continued: "I need you to understand how painful this shit is. I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing and that isn’t the case anymore, that was never the case anymore."
John also took this moment to remind black men about the importance of black women:
Black men, we need to take care of our black women. They are our hearts, they are our future, we cannot demonize our own, we are the pillars of the family. Imagine this: a nation that is set up with individual families that are thriving, that are healthy, that communicate, that raise their children in love, have a better rate of becoming better human beings and that’s what we need to create. Black men, it starts with you, it’s done man, we can’t be trash no more. We have to be better.
So often, black women are the ones behind movements for change and progress but lack the recognition or respect, so seeing John actively acknowledge this and implore men to do better really impacted me.
He ended his speech with these powerful words: "Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded, regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting."
"And now is the time. I ain't waiting." Wow. Just wow.
Twitter users came out in DROVES to show their support for John Boyega and share how much his words meant to them:
“Look I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this but, f**k that.” John Boyega.
john boyega deserves everyone's respect. he shouldn't have to worry about losing his career because he's speaking out. he is changing the world right now and we need to listen to him & respect him.
John Boyega now and forever
Y'all been stanning the wrong celebrities for sometime, JOHN BOYEGA is the real deal. A king indeed✊🏿
Let Great Images Live On. You spoke well. Love Always my guy John Boyega
I will be buying extra movie tix for whatever John Boyega is. https://t.co/3zqveW89fM
Protect John Boyega at every single cost
