Beyoncé Gives Powerful Class Of 2020 Speech As She Thanks Black Lives Matters Protesters

Due to coronavirus, most students across the world haven’t been celebrating their graduations exactly as they planned. Instead of throwing their hats into the air while hugging their friends, most have had to settle for online celebrations and Zoom calls.

But it isn’t all bad, as this year’s class were treated to A-list appearances from Barack and Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Lizzo and Lady Gaga during YouTube’s 'Dear Class of 2020' virtual ceremony, which was live streamed on Sunday.

Beyoncé{ =nofollow}also blessed the ceremony with her wisdom, giving an inspirational speech which many of her fans have called her 'most beautiful and most encouraging' talk yet.

‘You have arrived here in the middle of a global crisis, a racial pandemic and worldwide expression of outrage at the senseless killing of yet another unarmed black human being,’ Beyoncé told students, referencing the Black Lives Matter movement and the horrendous death of George Floyd who died in police custody after a white police officer knelt on his neck. 'And you still made it. We’re so proud of you.'

‘Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the world know that black lives matter,' she said. 'The killings of George Floyd{ =nofollow}, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have left us all broken. It has left the entire country searching for answers. We’ve seen that our collective hearts when put to positive action can start the wheels of change. Real change has started with you.’

The singer also discussed sexism in the music industry, and explained how she created her Parkwood Entertainment brand so her voice could be heard. ‘The entertainment business is still very sexist,’ she said. ‘It’s still very male-dominated and as a woman, I did not see enough female role models given the opportunity to what I knew I had to do. To run my label and management company, to direct my films and produce my tours, that meant ownership—owning my masters, owning my art, owning my future and writing my own story. 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 overlook and waiting to be seen.’

‘One of the main purposes of my art for many years has been dedicated to showing the beauty of black people to the world,’ she added. ‘Our history, our profundity, and the value of black lives. I’ve tried my best to pull down the veil of appeasement to those who may feel uncomfortable with our excellence. To all those who feel different if you’re a 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.’

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