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Watch Beyonce's 10-minute Class of 2020 speech


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Beyonce delivered a near 10-minute speech for the graduating class of 2020. 

In it, she shines a light on the Black Lives Matter movement and sexism in the music industry.

“Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the worlds 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, could start the wheels of change. Real change has started with you, this new generation of high school and college graduates who we celebrate today,” she said.

“The entertainment business is still very ******. It’s still very male-dominated and as a woman, I did not see enough female role models given the opportunity to what I knew I had to do — to run my label, and management company, to direct my films and produce my tours that meant ownership, owning my masters, owning my art, owning my future and writing my own story. 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 overlook and waiting to be seen,” she said.

She touched on how race and gender played a part in music corporations overlooking some talented candidates.

“Many of the best creatives and business people, who although supremely qualified and talented, were turned down over and over as executives at major corporations because they were female or because of racial disparity. And I’ve been very proud to provide them with a place at my table. 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,” she said.

“To the young women, our future leaders, know that you’re about to make the world turn. I see you. You are everything the world needs. Make those power moves. Be excellent. And to the young kings, lean into your vulnerability and redefine masculinity. Lead with heart. There’s so many different ways to be brilliant. I believe you and every human being is born with a masterful gift. Don’t let the world make you feel that you have to look a certain way to be brilliant. And no you don’t have to speak a certain way to be brilliant. But you do have to spread your gift around the planet in a way that is authentically you.”

“To all those who feel different. If you’re 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. Your compassion, your understanding, your fight for people who may be different from you, is beautiful. I hope you continue to go into the world and show them that you will never stop being yourself. That it’s your time now, make them see you.”

Very eloquent. Watch below:
 

beyonce-class.jpg.2ed407ab5bd06ee7725198f8ace55298.jpg

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Good job for the person who wrote her speech.This is a team that cares for, values , and respects her client/boss.

Sometimes it is really necessary for people in the industry to talk about social movements but she is just that, an industry person. Let's not put her or anyone on pedestals.

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1 minute ago, Winter _90 said:

Good job for the person who wrote her speech.This is a team that cares for, values , and respects her client/boss.

Sometimes it is really necessary for people in the industry to talk about social movements but she is just that, an industry person. Let's not put her or anyone on pedestals.

Put some respect on someone who has opened a Britney concert and now is the queen of the world. Educate yourself please

HonestNecessaryGoral-size_restricted.gif

 

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51 minutes ago, OnlyBeyonce said:

usually i drag her so much but her skin is so perfect, she could pass for Britney daughter

Normal, if Britney has been taking medication against her will for 12 years and she has horrible people around her.

2 minutes ago, OnlyBeyonce said:

Put some respect on someone who has opened a Britney concert and now is the queen of the world. Educate yourself please

HonestNecessaryGoral-size_restricted.gif

 

 Good for her and for the people who have helped and worked for her to shine and have this status but let's not mix concepts on serious topics.Stop putting people in the industry on pedestals.

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1 minute ago, Winter _90 said:

Normal, if Britney has been taking medication against her will for 12 years and she has horrible people around her.

 Good for her and for the people who have helped and worked for her to shine and have this status but let's not mix concepts on serious topics.Stop putting people in the industry on pedestals.

everyone in the industry has a team but only few genius can achieve a certain status, stop act like she is a total puppet :lessons:

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This is the longest I've heard my fave speak in 10 years :haha: But seriously I think it's great that she took the time to talk to my class and encourage us and give her support for social movements. I'm telling everyone that Beyoncé spoke at my graduation.

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She sounds odd, does she always sound that way ? 

I mean I love her music and I have seen very few of her interviews but I don't remember her sounding like this though.

She looks good :barbie:

I wanna be there when you touch fire

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Honestly, this sounds too much cliche for me ... All is true but we all do know this

At some point it sounded like Octavia talking to her people on a "the 100" episode ... sorry but i needed to say it!

And as said earlier, she is a pure product of that same system, i don't know ,i get more touched by quotes written by britney on a selfi with messy hair and strange duck face than this massively produced video .... maybe because the first looks more natural

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Just now, crazyboutbrit said:

Honestly, this sounds too uch cliche for me ... All is true but we all do know this

At some point it sounded like Octavia talking to her people on a "the 100" episode ... sorry but i need to say it!

And as said earlier, she is a pure product of that same system, i don't know i get more touched by quotes written by britney on a selfi with a mess hair and strange duck face than this massively produced video .... maybe because the first looks more natural

you mean Beyonce is a product of all the songwriters and producers behind her?

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