Macklemore was about business while accepting his award for “Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop,” during last night’s 2013 American Music Awards.
While making his acceptance speech via satellite from Miami, Florida, the “Thrift Shop” hitmaker took the moment to address race discrimination in the aftermath of Trayvon Martin's death last year (2012).
“It has been an absolutely incredible year, I feel extremely blessed to be accepting an award from the AMAs and now that I'm sitting here in front of millions of people, I'd like to address something extremely important to me,” said Macklemore.
He continued: “I was talking to my friend… before the show and he reminded me of a great Martin Luther King quote. He said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere’, and due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award, I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it. This is really happening, these are our friends, our neighbors, our peers and our fans and it's time that we look out for the youth and fight against racism and the laws that protect it.”
Along with their speech, Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis took the stage for a high-energy performance.
Hey there, music fans! Did you catch the American Music Awards last night? If not, you missed an important moment from Macklemore.
During his acceptance speech for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album, he addressed the issue of racial profiling. He spoke directly to white people in the audience and called on them to take action against injustice.
Macklemore’s message was clear: we cannot ignore the reality of racial profiling and police brutality in our society. He urged white people to use their privilege to speak out against these injustices and support communities of color.
This is not the first time Macklemore has spoken out about social issues – he has been vocal about LGBTQ+ rights and addiction recovery as well. It’s refreshing to see a mainstream artist using their platform for positive change.
Stay tuned for more updates on how musicians are speaking out against injustice!
Macklemore’s Message on Racial Profiling
Macklemore had a powerful message to share on racial profiling during his AMA acceptance speech, urging everyone to recognize the harm caused by this issue.
He highlighted the fact that racial profiling has become an everyday experience for people of color in America and emphasized its impact on their lives.
He also acknowledged his own privilege as a white person and recognized that he hasn’t experienced the same level of discrimination as his black peers. This recognition is critical because it shows that we need more allies who understand and stand with marginalized communities.
Macklemore’s message was clear: we must all do our part to dismantle systemic racism, starting with recognizing how it affects people of color every day.
It’s up to us to take action and work towards creating a society where everyone is treated fairly and justly, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Impact of Police Brutality on Society
You can’t deny that police brutality has a profound impact on society, affecting not only those directly affected by it but also the way we view law enforcement as a whole. When incidents of excessive force and aggression by police officers are caught on camera and shared widely on social media, they can quickly erode trust in law enforcement and perpetuate feelings of fear and injustice.
Moreover, when cases of police brutality go unpunished or unaddressed, it sends a message to communities that their lives don’t matter. It reinforces the systemic racism and discrimination that have plagued our country for centuries. This is why movements like Black Lives Matter have gained so much momentum – because people are tired of being ignored or silenced when they speak out against these injustices.
Ultimately, until we hold police officers accountable for their actions and demand real reforms to address issues like racial profiling and use of excessive force, incidents of police brutality will continue to occur. We must work together as a society to create real change and ensure that everyone is treated fairly under the law.
Only then can we begin to heal the deep wounds caused by years of systemic oppression and injustice.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Macklemore has once again proven that he’s not only a talented musician but also a socially conscious one.
His message on racial profiling during his acceptance speech at the AMAs was powerful and much-needed in today’s society where discrimination still exists.
Moreover, his performance of ‘Can’t Hold Us’ with Ryan Lewis was energetic and engaging, showcasing his skills as an artist.
It’s clear that Macklemore is more than just a rapper; he uses his platform to speak out against injustices and advocate for equality.
He continues to be an inspiration to many, and we can only hope that more artists follow in his footsteps.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.