Wow! Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union each gave bone chilling speeches as they accepted their President’s Award at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards. Together, they addressed LGBTQIA justice and the division within the Black Lives Matter fight.
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Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union Deliver Uplifting & Intense Speeches On LGBTQIA Justice & Division Within The Black Lives Matter Fight
As the couple continues to fight for LGBTQIA+ justice for their trans daughter Zaya Wade, and many more just like her, each of the Wades delivered uncomfortable, but much needed, addresses on how the Black community has been divided in the Black Lives Matter fight — specifically addressing how the lives of the LGBTQIA+ communities aren’t equally fought for.
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Starting things off, Dwyane Wade stated, “We don’t stand up here alone. As we know, it takes a village. It takes a community. We stand up here today as two people who have worked tirelessly to have resources and access.
As two people willing to have our microphones for what we believe other families are going through. I’m intentional when I use my platform. I recognize what I’ve been given and it my job to uplift the voices of others and share my access and resources.”
The NBA baller continued to issue a direct message to his daughter, Zaya. “I want to take this moment to publicly speak to our daughter, Zaya [Wade]. Zaya, as your father, all I’ve wanted to do was get it right. I’ve sat back and watched how gracefully you’ve taken on the public scrutiny and even though it’s not easy, I’ve watched you walk out of that house every morning as yourself. I admire how you’ve handled the ignorance in our world. I admire [the things] that you face everyday.”
Wade continued, To say that your village is proud of you, is an understatement. Thank you for showing me that there’s more than just one way to communicate effectively. you’ve taught me that communication with my mouth isn’t enough.
I have to also communicate with my two ears and my two eyes. As your father, my job isn’t to create a version of myself or direct your future, my role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes, and your dreams.
Zaya, you’ve made me a better human. Just simply by being who you were born to be, our bay girl, Zaya Wade. So, baby thank you for showing the world what courage looks like. I’m proud that I was chosen to stand in the place as your father and that you so much to the NAACP, for this incredible honor.”
Following after her husband, Gabrielle Union then stated, “It’s humbling to stand here, surrounded by friends and heroes, OGs and icons, all working to advance the lives of Black people and pay respect to an organization that has led us through over a century of relentless challenge, pain, triumph and change.
And now stands with us again, at the foot of a very new era of activism. A new era that demands a collective answer to one simple question — ‘Will we fight for some or will we fight for all of our people?’
Let’s just are a couple hard truths. First, the intersection of Black rights and the rights of LGBTQIA, trans and gender-non-confirming people, continues to be rough — and that’s a huge understatement. Even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs, we consistently fail to extend advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable among us. ”
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Union continued, “And second, Black trans people, are being targeted, terrorized and hunted in this country. Everyday, everywhere. And there’s rarely a whisper about it. We honestly don’t approach this work as activists or leaders, as much as we do this as parents.
Parents who love our children, and will do whatever the hell we can to keep them seen and secure, and safe. This is a conversation worth having in ways that can actually build bridges. That don’t fan the flames of hatred or division. That don’t enable lawmakers or justice systems to look the other way when Black trans people are under attack.
That don’t drive more young people to hate themselves or harm themselves. That don’t cost people their lives. So, we are humbled and we are hopeful for the future. I’m hopeful — we are hopeful — that we may witness a real shift in the fight for justice. The moment the movement makes room for everyone. Ev-ery-one. Thank you.“
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