Initially most people read that John Stephens and Lonnie Lynne won Oscars for best original song but they did not relate the names to John Legend and Common who the average African knows through their music.
For this post I will use the names everyone is familiar with.
Common in his acceptance speech said he was happy to be part of the song, "glory" that was sung on the very bridge that was a "landmark of a divided nation but now a symbol of change" He went on to say that the bridge symbolised the little kid in Chicago who is dreaming of a better life for himself, or it could represent France fighting for freedom of expression or the protesters in Hongkong fighting for freedom.
The bridge he said "was built as a symbol of hope".
John Legend on the other hand said the song "glory' was based on events that happened 50 years ago but the present circumstances show that "Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now"
He went on to say that voting rights which civil activists fought for is being compromised right now. "There are more black men under correctional control today than under slavery in 1850" he said.
Concluding John Legend said that when people sing the song "glory", it means they see you and love you.
While these speeches were being made in America it resonated with what Africans are going through right now.
Once again congratulations to John Legend and Common, we are proud of you.
