Congrats are in order for John Legend and Common as they took home an Oscar for Best Original Song for the rapturous "Glory" from the Selma soundtrack at the 87th Academy Awards which aired last night (Feb 22)! The film itself was snubbed, but Legend and Common's performance of the song, acceptance speech, and win may have made up for it.
Their performance featured a life-size replica of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. and dozens of extras to recreate the peaceful protests. The powerful spectacle brought the crowd to their feet for a standing ovation and brought tears to many.
During their stirring acceptance speech, Legend and Common made parallels to Black 18th and 19th century slaves in the U.S. "We live in the most incarcerated country in the world," Legend said. "There are more black men under correctional control today than there were under slavery in 1850….The struggle for justice is right now,” said Legend upon accepting the reward. “We live in the most incarcerated country in the world…When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you we are with you.”
If you missed it, watch it all go down below.
