Pharrell Williams has written a powerful essay for Time in which he says that the protests sweeping the nation finally made him feel like an American.
© Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images North America / Getty Images for Diamond Ball
Pharrell Williams performs on stage during Rihanna’s 5th Annual Diamond Ball Benefit The Clara Lionel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street on September 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Diamond Ball)
The singer / producer / composer collaborated with the publication on a special cover project, “The New American Revolution.”
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To that end, Williams curated a series of essays and talks between Black leaders and celebs who “explore the oppressive past and visions of America for a more just future.”
It includes a variety of perspectives such as “Black-ish” maker Kenya Barris, activist Angela Davis, actress Yara Shahidi, and Grammy-winning rapper Tyler, the Creator.
“I wanted to convey a vision of a future full of the artists, makers and entrepreneurs who can fulfill the promise of principles of this country,” Williams wrote in the essay of those he put together to participate.
His essay, entitled “America’s Past and Present Are Racist. We Deserve a Black Future”, draws parallels between the history of America and the racial reckoning that now prevails in the country.
He writes that “America was founded on a dream of a land where all men were created equal, which contained the promise of freedom and justice for all.”
“But everything has never meant Black people,” Williams continues. “Like most Black Americans, I understand that everything exists only in the augmented reality glasses available to shareholders, power brokers and those lucky enough to enter the initial public offering. But the persistent protests for equality and accountability that cities in the area have taken over the nation has made me feel something new that I can only describe in one word: American. “
He also makes the argument for economic equality, as true equal opportunity and representation for Blacks when this country actually offers the American dream.
“America’s wealth was built on the slave labor of Black people: this is our past,” Williams writes. “To fulfill America’s ideals, we must rely on a Black vision for the future.”
Williams and rapper / mogul Jay-Z released the single “Entrepreneur” in combination with the project on Friday.
“The intention for a song was all about how hard it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with,” Williams told Time. “Especially as one of color, there are many systemic disadvantages and deliberate blockages. How to start a fire, or even the hope of a ember to start a fire, if you start with disadvantages regarding health care, education and representation ? “
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