Pharrell Williams has made history in his home state of Virginia. On Tuesday, 47 years of age, the musician participated in a press conference with the Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam to officially declare the 19th of June — also known as the day of emancipation and Freedom Day — a day of celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the united states.
“Finally, we have to recognize that Black lives absolutely matter.”
In his speech, Pharrell described the measure as “very special” and “a great display of progress.” “From this moment on, when you look at the vastness of the night sky, and the stars moving up there, to know that those stars are our ancestors of African dancing. They’re dancing in the celebration because their lives are finally being recognized,” he began. “It is not the end, it is only the beginning. Their lives matter, their descendants with the life of matter, Black lives matter in the eyes of the community . . . Finally, we have to recognize that Black lives absolutely matter.”
Pharrell mentions how it’s called the Governor Northam over the weekend to discuss why it was time for Virginia to recognize juneteenth as a state holiday, and emphasized the importance of the changes. “This is what listening looks like,” he said. “This is our opportunity, in Virginia, to give the example. This is our opportunity to lead, to truly embrace the importance of the day of emancipation, and treat it as a celebration of the freedom of the Black people deserve.”
According to the Governor Northam, all state employees in the executive branch shall be given a paid day off on the 19th of June. Pharrell called on the companies to follow in their footsteps, adding, “I would like to see the corporations that call Virginia their home of lead the rest of the country, to give people the payment the day of rest, so that we can all be in solidarity.”
Pharrell concluded his remarks with an important note: “the Establishment of a new standard and leader of how states observe the day of emancipation is important because it implies that there will be others to follow, and not it be others to follow.” Watch Pharrell’s powerful speech in the video above, the 22:15 mark.
