00:00 I tried to be the light on stage,
00:02 hoping to burn a fire in someone's heart
00:06 so they'd never forget to dream,
00:09 to remember, to empathize,
00:12 to be enraged, to just to feel something, anything.
00:17 But I don't take the credit for this.
00:21 I've always been clear that I'm being used.
00:25 We're all being used as conduits for change,
00:29 allowing the energy and light to flow through
00:32 and manifest anew.
00:34 Now, some of us focus on the good energy
00:38 and some of us not so good, but we won't say names.
00:41 I'm just gonna sit in my seat,
00:44 focus on the chalkboard,
00:46 and bubble in the answer this time.
00:49 See what I did there?
00:50 (laughing)
00:52 Still the in-house entertainer.
00:55 I admit those lessons have helped me in some situations,
01:00 but what I learned as I grew older
01:03 from all of my light-bearing predecessors
01:07 is when to fall out of line.
01:09 From black women leading the way to freedom
01:13 from the swampy terrains of the South
01:15 to women organizing countless movements
01:18 for equality and our rights,
01:20 I want every woman to demand the windows in the room,
01:25 make paper airplanes out of those papers we draw bubbles on
01:30 when you're not invited or not giving a seat at the table.
01:34 In spite of it all, we must still make room for the light.
01:39 To my fellow recipients, congratulations.
01:44 Congratulations, you rock, all of you.
01:46 It's an honor to share this space with you,
01:50 and let's continue to light the pathway
01:53 for every human to access his inherent right
01:57 to safety, belonging, and dignity.
02:02 Keep setting the world on fire with your light.
02:05 It is needed.
02:06 Burn, baby, burn.
02:09 Thank you so much.
02:11 I'm so honored, thank you.
02:12 (audience applauding)
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