Beyoncé urges viewers to take action in BET Awards acceptance speech

Beyonce received the humanitarian BET award from Michelle Obama saying that her ‘activism demands justice for black lives’.

While giving her acceptance speech, Beyonce dedicated her award to the protestors that are fighting against racial injustice. She praised them saying that they are proving to their ancestors that their struggle wasn’t wasted. Beyonce encouraged people to vote in the elections of 2020, as she accepted the award.

She encouraged everybody to continue to take action and to continue to dismantle a racist and unequal system.

“We have to vote like our life depends on it, because it does,” Beyonce said.

Michelle Obama presented the award to Beyonce praising her for her commitment to the black community. She says that you can see it in everything that she does, her music, her activism. Michelle praised her saying, “You can see it in everything she does, from her music that gives voice to black joy and black pain to her activism that demands justice for black lives.”

The former first lady continued saying Beyonce does all that while staying devoted to her children and loved ones. Michelle said she inspires her and everyone else.

Obama appreciated Beyonce for supporting younger performers and calling out ‘sexism and racism when she sees it’.

Beyonce was praised for her undeniable work from the BeyGOOD foundation. She also ensured with her mother, Tina Knowles, that COVID testing is available to black residents.

The BET awards are known for celebrating black artists and sports personalities. The list of previous humanitarian awards includes Muhammad Ali, music producer Quincy Jones, and civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton.

This year’s ceremony showcased the on-going protests of Black Lives Matter and the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others.

DaBaby, Keedron Bryant and many more performances

DaBaby re-created the video of George Floyd’s death. His rap, ‘Rockstar’ was playing in the background while his face was thrust to the ground, as an officer knelt on his knee. He won the best male hip-hop artist.

The video also starred in various images of the protest while he sang from the ground. After the scene, there were dancers donning t-shirts that said, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘I am George Floyd’. There were signs held like ‘Defund the Police’. DaBaby and Roddy Ricch danced on top of police cars as well.

Keedron Bryant, a twelve-year-old, went viral on social media when he sang a song about being an African-American. He opened up the show with an acapella performance of the song, I Wanna Live.

A gospel rendition of Nina Simone’s Young, Gifted and Black, was delivered by Jennifer Hudson. Meanwhile, Alicia Keys performed a different version of her song, A Perfect Way To Die. She was playing the piano in a deserted city. It was surrounded by murals of Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, and George Floyd. As the song ends, Alicia gets up and kneels on the street, where names of a dozen black people who lost their lives were stenciled on the street.

This year’s ceremony was a virtual event due to the pandemic. The performances and the speech were all pre-taped as well.

Lizzo won an award of the best female R&B/pop artist. Megan Thee Stallion acquired the best female hip-hop artist.

Chris Brown won the best male R&B/pop artist for a record fifth time, while Michael B. Jordan won his third best actor trophy.

Beyoncé’s eight-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter also won, picking up an award for her contribution to the song Brown Skin Girl, from her mother’s Lion King album.

And gymnast Simone Biles – who recently debuted a never-before-seen triple-twist, double back dismount from a balance beam – won sportswoman of the year for the first time.

She defeated tennis legend Serena Williams, who had won 12 times in the category, including the last six years in a row.

Full list of winners – BET Awards 2020

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST– Megan Thee Stallion

BEST GROUP– Migos

VIDEO OF THE YEAR– DJ Khaled Ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend: Higher

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST– Lizzo

BEST COLLABORATION– Chris Brown Ft. Drake: No Guidance

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST– DaBaby

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST- Chris Brown

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR– Teyana “Spike Tee” Taylor 

BEST NEW ARTIST– Roddy Ricch

ALBUM OF THE YEAR– Please Excuse Me For Being AntisociaL: Roddy Ricch

DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD– Kirk Franklin: Just For Me

BEST ACTRESS– Issa Rae

BEST ACTOR– Michael B. Jordan

YOUNGSTARS AWARD– Marsai Martin 

BEST MOVIE– Queen & Slim 

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR– Simone Biles

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR– LeBron James

BET HER AWARD– Beyonce Ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid & Saint Jhn: Brown Skin Girl 

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD– Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj: Hot Girl Summer

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT– Burna Boy (Nigeria)

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT– Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)