John Legend gave an inspiring speech after being presented with the President’s Award for his public service at the 47th NAACP Image Awards, held Friday (Feb. 5) at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
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During the awards show, NAACP president Cornell William Brooks presented Legend with honor, and performers took the stage to sing his “Ordinary People” and Oscar-winning song “Glory” from Selma.
Legend accepted the award after singing his hit “All of Me,” thanking his team, his wife Chrissy Teigen and the NAACP.
“We know that we stand on the shoulders of giants who risked their lives to bring us closer to true freedom,” Legend said. “And of course, we are still fighting for freedom,” he added, noting police injustice, before sending out an inspiring and positive message. “I’m hopeful that our generation will demand and achieve radical change in our lifetime.”
“Our lives should, indeed, matter just as much as anyone else’s,” he said. “Fighting for justice isn’t an act of hate, it’s an act of love. So let’s spread love, let’s make the world a more beautiful and just place. We have so much opportunity, let’s not waste it.”
This article originally appeared in THR.com.