How ‘Selma’ Oscar Winners Common and John Legend Use Fame as a Platform
“I feel like, ‘to whom much is given, much is required,'” says Common, who co-wrote “Glory” with Legend
Linda Ge | February 22, 2015 @ 10:26 PM
Last Updated: February 23, 2015 @ 12:18 AM
Musicians Common and John Legend defended their politics-heavy speech backstage after winning the Oscar for Best Original Song on Sunday, though they stopped short of calling out other artists who shy away from being so outspoken.
On stage, Legend directly referenced current political issues he feels mirrored the themes of “Selma,” the Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic he and Common wrote the Oscar-winning song “Glory” for.
“We say that ‘Selma’ is now, because the struggle for justice is right now,” he said in his speech. “We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now in this country today. 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.”
Backstage, Common fielded a question on how he feels about other artists who choose not to use their fame as a platform to discuss issues they care about.
“I feel like ‘to whom much is given, much is required,'” he said. “How could you not say anything? Especially representing a film like ‘Selma.’ Just being an artist that cares. Like beyond what we have done on this song, John has always made music about love. He’s been doing things for education for a long time. He stands up for issues… So yes, I feel it’s our duty. And I don’t hold any other artists accountable, but it’s our duty, if you recognize that, to do it.”
The duo received a standing ovation when they performed the song live during the ceremony, leaving “Selma” star David Oyelowoin tears, and another ovation when they won their category. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, although it lost to “Birdman.”
Oscars 2015 Winners: 'Birdman,' 'Grand Budapest,' Eddie Remayne, Julianne Moore (Photos)
JK Simmons: Best Supporting Actor - "Whiplash"
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Milena Canonero: Best Costume Design - "The Grand Budapest Hotel
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Pamel Pawlikowski: Best Foreign Language Film - "Ida" (Poland)
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Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier: Best Makeup and Hairstyling - "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
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Mat Kirkby and James Lucas: Best Live Action Short - "The Phone Call"
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Ellen Goosenberg and Dana Perry: Best Documentary Short - "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1"
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Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley: Best Sound Mixing - "Whiplash"
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Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman: Best Sound Editing - "American Sniper"
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Patricia Arquette: Best Supporting Actress - "Boyhood"
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Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher: Best Visual Effects - "Interstellar"
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Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed: Best Animated Short - "Feast"
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Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli: Best Animated Feature Film - "Big Hero 6"
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Adam Stockhausen (Production Design), Anna Pinnock (Set Decoration): Best Production Design - "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
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Emmanuel Lubezki: Best Cinematography - "Birdman"
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Tom Cross: Best Editing - "Whiplash"
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Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky: Best Documentary Feature - "Citizenfour"
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John Stephens (John Legend) and Lonnie Lynn (Common): Best Original Song - "Selma"
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Alexandre Desplat: Best Original Score - "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
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Armando Bo, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Nicolas Giacobone, Alejandro G. Inarritu: Best Original Screenplay - "Birdman"
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Graham Moore: Best Adapted Screenplay - "The Imitation Game"
Alejandro G. Inarritu: Best Director - "Birdman"
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Eddie Redmayne: Best Actor - "The Theory of Everything"
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Julianne Moore: Best Actress - "Still Alice"
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"Birdman": Best Picture - Alejandro G. Inarritu, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole
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