Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty; Keystone/Getty
The “Isn’t She Lovely” singer performed a spoken word letter in a video posted on Twitter on Monday in honor of theCivil Rights activist’s birthday.
The singer then voiced his criticism of the lack of racial equality and acknowledgment of Black people’s truth since King’s death in 1968.
“It is painful to know that needle has not moved one iota,” Wonder continued. “For 36 years, we’ve had a national holiday honoring your birthday and principles, yet you would not believe the lack of progress.”
“It makes me physically sick. I am sick of politicians trying to find an easy solution to a 400-year problem. I am sick of some people using God as a convenience rather than a commitment. I am sick of lies and deceit that dominate our reality. I am sick that truth is struggling to be heard and defended,” he went on.
Wonder directed his attention to politicians and their promises of racial equity without policy implementation. “Until we turn our mouth movement into righteous action, we’re doing our nation, God and your memory an injustice,” he said.
The Motown musician specifically called upon President-electJoe Bidenand Vice President-electKamala Harristo “launch a formal investigation to establish the truth of inequality in this country.”
“We need a truth commission that forces this country to look at its lies,” he suggested. “Without truth, we cannot have accountability. Without accountability, we cannot have forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we cannot heal.”
Martin Luther King Jr.Central Press/Getty Images
“Dr. King, these times require courage, as they did when you lived and paid the ultimate price,” Wonder continued. “On this day, a day in your honor, I pledge to have the courage to say what I see and acknowledge what I hear.”
“In your spirit, I call on all those in the Senate to speak truth to what they know they can physically see and begin the steps towards accountability, forgiveness and then healing,” he concluded presumably in reference to thesecond impeachmentof PresidentDonald Trump.
Wonder was instrumental in calling upon officials to create a national holiday in King’s name.
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On January 15, 1981, the singer performed his rendition of “Happy Birthday” at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the late activist.
“We ought to have a way to honor this human being and reaffirm the ideals he lived and died for,” Wonder said in a speech. “Designating his birthday a national holiday would create an event for all Americans, for Dr. King was a champion for justice and liberty.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first celebrated as a federal holiday on Jan. 20, 1986, and continues to be honored on the third Monday of the first month of the year.
source: people.com
