Entertainment

Common's Speech Was a Golden Globes Highlight

by Lia Beck

It was a race filled with popular current artists, but at the 2015 Golden Globes, Common and John Legend's song "Glory" took home the award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. The two men accepted the award for the song from Best Picture nominee, Selma, together, but Common stole the spotlight with an poetic (would we expect anything less from him?) acceptance speech that made an important connection between the Civil Rights Movement setting of the film and the civil rights issues that the world continues to face today.

Common said beautifully,

The first day I stepped on the set of Selma, I began to feel like this was bigger than a movie. As I got to know the people of the civil rights movement, I realized, I am the hopeful black woman who was denied her right to vote. I am the caring white supporter killed on the front lines of freedom. I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand, but instead was given a bullet. I am the two fallen police officers murdered in the line of duty. Selma has awakened my humanity.

This year's Golden Globes has been one that brought light to a variety of societal issues. During her acceptance speech for Transparent, series creator Jill Soloway dedicated the Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical win to Leelah Alcorn and thanked the trans community.

Additionally, the events at Charlie Hebdo in Paris were brought up multiple times during the evening notably in a speech from Jared Leto during the ceremony and on the red carpet when many celebrities honored the victims of the attack with "Je Suis Charlie" signs.

Common's speech is just one of many moments from the 2015 Golden Globes to be remembered. Check it out below: