K.M. Speaks: Gabrielle Union's: Claps Back with a "State of the Union Address"

There were scores of monumental highlights throughout the course of the B.E.T. Awards 2016; known for honoring musicians, entertainers and community leaders. A Genius Talks Event presented by AT & T, a pinnacle phenomenon, transpired on June 25-26, and ranked second to Rev. Jesse Jackson’s iconic lecture, as one of the most intellectual stimulating occurrences during the B.E.T. Awards. At the heart of the discussion at Genius Talks celebrities were provided the opportunity to address controversial topics. Some of the celebrities that voiced their opinion were DJ Khaled, Snoop Dogg, Birdman and Jermaine Dupri. This platform provided during one of the most colossal happenings in black entertainment is epic; considering it grants African Americans the necessary time to shed light on taboo subject matters that continuously affects their interaction, both positive and negative, within society today.

Among those amazing celebrities, Gabrielle Union, talented actress and wife of basketball player Dewayne Wade, left the audience inspired with awe. Her transparency about the necessity for strong black female leads in Hollywood and the challenges women of color face in front of and behind the camera was nothing but the unadulterated truth. She emphasized the importance about being proud of whom you are as an individual and understanding that you cannot be everything to everyone.

Union also shared a heartfelt testimonial of her first audition for a Tupac music video. She reflected that immediately upon meeting her, he noticed the something ‘greater’ in her, and asked why she was there. Therefore, taking it as a sign, she left the audition. Yet, Union still remembers the lasting impact it made upon her for someone to see what she didn’t even know yet.

It was quite refreshing to witness her speak out about issues that most would rake ‘under the rug’.

Furthermore, during the ‘Black Women in Hollywood’ dialogue with Union, host Meslissa Harris-Perry enlightened the audience about how she felt about another slave movie “We don’t need any more slavery depictions. I’m sick of seeing us as slaves. I don’t want to see that anymore. We already had Roots, so why another slave film?”Union addressed Perry’s concerns … “Anytime you see us reflected in our history, it helps. It helps us to see our own humanity and helps others to see our humanity. There is no Oscar so white without our humanity.

If you can’t see the humanity in a twelve year old child who was slaughtered in less than two seconds for doing things that kids do - playing with a toy gun alone in an open carry state; yet, you are outraged over Cecil the lion’s death and a gorilla - we need to see Roots! We’ve lost something along the way.” I’ve asked myself that same question, “How can we humanize a gorilla but demonize and criminalize the parents of a toddler that are innocent?” Union summed it up perfectly, proclaiming that, “We need Roots and Birth of a Nation. We need our stories told over and over and over again. If you cannot see our humanity in real life, you will never see our humanity in our art ever.”

Well, let the world say Amen!!! What Union said in less than two minutes addressed the core of the issues that our country faces today. I highly anticipate the opportunity to cover Genius Talk 2017 as it informed, as well as exposed truth on another level. Therefore, it is pivotal that we continue to expose positive light to the world’s dismal, discriminating, and devaluing debates. Until next year … God Bless America!

Written By: Terica Lee K.M. Speaks Blogger
Edited By: Marguritte S. Johnson

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