"We say that Selma is now": Watch John Legend and Common's incredible Oscars acceptance speech

The two won for "Glory"

Published February 23, 2015 5:11AM (EST)

 Common and John Legend
Common and John Legend

Moments after Common and John Legend gave a moving performance of "Glory," the original song written for the film "Selma," the two won an Academy Award for "Best Original Song."

Their speech was intensely impactful: It touched on the Voting Rights Act, protests in Hong Kong, the mass incarceration of black me in the United States and of course the iconic bridge in Selma.

"We say that Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now," Legend said.

"We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now in this country today," he continued. "We know that right now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today then were under slavery in 1850."

Watch below:

And here is the performance below:


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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2015 Oscars Academy Awards Aol_on Glory Oscars 2015 Selma Video