Artists Against Racism (2002)

I'm very sad to see that these artists really are penniless. They made and created so much joy for the world, and the system..meaning the record companies totally took advantage of them and it's not like they always say..you know they build a big house, they spent a lot of money, they bought a lot of cars..that's stupid, it's an excuse. That's nothing compared to what artists make.

And so, I just need you to know that this is very important, what we're fighting for. Because, I'm tired..I'm really really tired of the manipulation. I'm tired of how the press is manipulating everything that's been happening in this situation. They do not tell the truth, they lie.

They manipulate our history books. The history books are not true..it's a lie! The history books are lying! You need to know that...you must know that! All the forms of popular music from jazz to hip-hop to bee-bop..to soul..you talk about the different dances from the cake-walk, to the jitterbug, to the charleston, to uh..break dancing..all these are forms of black dancing! 

What's more important than giving people a sense of escapism? And the shape of the meaning of entertainment? What would we be like without a song? What would we be like without at dance..joy and laughter and music? These things are very important but if you go to the bookstore down the corner you won't see ONE black person on the cover! You'll see Elvis Presley..you'll see the Rolling Stones, but where are the real pioneers who started it?

Otis Blackwell was a prolific, phenomenal writer, he wrote some of the greatest Elvis Presley songs ever. This was a black man. I'm here to speak for all injustice. You gotta remember something. The minute I started breaking the all time world record sales..I broke Elvis' records, I broke Beatles records. The minute [my albums] became the all-time best selling albums in history in the Guinness Book of World Records..OVERNIGHT..they called me a freak, they called me a homosexual, they called me a child molester, they said I bleached my skin..they made everything to turn the public against me! 

This is all complete..complete conspiracy, you have to know that. I know my race, I just look in the mirror..I know I'm black!

It's time for a change. Let's not leave this building and forget what has been said. Put it into your heart... put it into your sub-conscious mind, and lets do something about it. We have to...we have to because it's been a long long time coming, and a CHANGE has got to come.

So lets hold our torches high and get the respect that we deserve! I love you...[sings] I love you! 

I just want to say, please don't put this in your heart today and forget it tomorrow because we will not accomplish our purpose. We will not have accomplished our purpose if that happens...this has got to stop. It has got to stop, that's why I'm here with the best to make sure it stops.

I love you folks, remember we are all brothers and sisters no matter WHAT color we are!