Photo: WENN
Stevie Wonder headlined the final British Summer Time show at Hyde Park yesterday, and he took the opportunity to show his support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Renewed protests have erupted across the US in the past week following the killing of two more black men by police officers. Though the protests were mostly peaceful, one in Dallas ended in the death of five police officers after a lone gunman opened fire.
Speaking to the Hyde Park crowd after he arrived onstage last night, as NME reports, Wonder said, “Before I start the concert I'd like to say to all of you a few simple things. In this troubled time I want to say to all of you that I love you all. And I love you because I was blessed to be blind, it was a gift so that I could show those of you who have everything you have the blessing you have to use them all."
He continued, “In one sense I'm very happy that Songs In The Key Of Life are still significant almost 40 years later. In another sense I'm not happy about that. The reason is that the songs and the words that we talk about, those conditions still exist in the world and that hurts my heart.
"What I'm hopeful about is that we can make a difference. And if you too feel that we can make a difference, I encourage you to choose love over hate. It's just that simple. Choose love over hate, right over wrong, kind over meanness. Hope over no hope at all. Which brings me to another point, yes, all life does matter, but the reason that I say black lives matter is because we are the original people of this world."
He concluded, “So in essence, everyone here has some black in you! You've all got some soul in you so stop denying your culture. So love yourselves and all your family. That's what I say."
cover750.jpg)
