by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 19, 2021

Lady Gaga: White People ‘Have a Responsibility to Unlearn’ Racism and White Privilege

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, who is better known as the superstar Lady Gaga, delivered a riveting speech while accepting an award over the weekend. The Grammy Award-winning artist was honored Sunday at the 2021 Beloved Community Awards.

The actress and singer was honored with the Yolanda Denise King Higher Ground Award, which is named after the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King’s oldest daughter. In her acceptance speech, she spoke out against white supremacy and white privilege, telling the audience that she is unlearning the things she has been taught over the years.

“I am aware I am before you as Stefani Germanotta, my given name; as Lady Gaga, a famous white woman with the power of a large platform. My racial identity alone centers my whiteness while I’m still very much finding my place in creating Dr. King Jr’s beloved community,” she states in the video clip.

“Black life matters. Blackness matters. Black joy matters,” she said. “White people, I believe that Black life represents the best of our nation and as white people, I believe we have a responsibility to unlearn, to accept the honest truth about the history of our country, admit that white supremacy makes us unhealthy and change our own behaviors to contribute to a world where freedom is real for everyone.”

Lady Gaga will be performing the National Anthem on January 20th at the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.


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