Paris Jackson lit up the stage at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). The daughter of the late Michael Jackson had strong words for white supremacists spreading hate in America at last night’s ceremony.
“I hope we leave here tonight remembering that we must show these Nazi, white supremacist jerks in Charlottesville and all over the country that as a nation with liberty as our slogan we have zero tolerance for their violence, hatred, and their discrimination,” Paris said after listening to Katy Perry’s speech which also addressed the current racial divide. “We must resist,” Miss Jackson declared.
Paris and Katy were slated to reveal the winner for the best Pop video during MTV’s epic event. The duo, however, decided to kick off the night with a bit of activism.
“I’m not surprised,” one BCK Instagram follower wrote. “Do y’all not know who [her] dad was? Not only a GOAT. But a for real for real activist. He lived through it. And used his influence and money to make change.” That he did.
In many respect’s Sunday’s VMAs served as a possible agent of change. Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, partnered with Rev. Robert Mead IV, a descendant of Robert E. Lee, to denounce white supremacy.
“We have made my ancestor an idol of white supremacy,” Rev. Mead said. “As a pastor, it is my moral duty to speak out against racism, America’s original sin. Today, I call on all of us with privilege and power to answer God’s call to confront racism and white supremacy head-on. We can find inspiration in the Black Lives Matter movement, the women who marched in the Women’s March in January and especially Heather Heyer, who died fighting for her beliefs in Charlottesville.”
Heather’s mother also spoke. “I miss her, but I know she’s here tonight,” Bro said. “I have been deeply moved to see people across the world, the whole world, find inspiration in her courage,” she added. “I want people to know that Heather never marched alone. She was always joined by people of every race and every background in this country.”
Check out the moving segment below!
Photo: Getty Images
