Beyonce blessed the Class of 2020 with her words of wisdom in a powerful commencement speech making reference to the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Halo singer joined the likes of Michelle Obama, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift to deliver an address for the virtual graduation on Sunday (7 June).
In the 10-minute video, Beyonce, 38, applauded the students for pushing through with their studies despite the coronavirus pandemic and current fight against racial inequality, sparked by the horrific death of African-American man George Floyd.
Floyd died on 25 May after a white police officer in Minnesota pressed his knee into his neck for almost nine minutes during an arrest.
Beginning her commencement speech, Beyonce said: ‘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. 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. The killings of George Floyd, 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.’
Despite her global fame, Beyonce then went on to explain how she felt her voice wasn’t being heard enough behind the scenes in the industry so created her Parkwood Entertainment brand.
‘There was a pivotal turning point in my life where I chose to build my own company many years ago,’ the singer revealed.
‘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 overlooked and waiting to be seen.’
Referring to the anti-racism protest which has swept the world, Bey added: ‘One of the main purposes of my art for many years has been dedicated to showing the beauty of black people to the world. 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.’
Sharing her personal struggles, Bey said: ‘If you’ve ever been called dumb, unattractive, overweight, unworthy, untalented, well so have I. Yes, I’ve been blessed to have 24 Grammys, but I’ve lost 46 times. That meant rejection 46 times. Please don’t ever feel entitled to win, just keep working harder.’
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