On Wednesday, June 3rd John Boyega joined a Hyde Park London protest for Black Lives Matter. In a passionate and heartbreaking speech to the crowd, he acknowledged that the simple act of speaking out could cost him his career. But despite this, he goes on to remember the victims of police brutality and gives advice and support to the crowd. John Boyega is a British-Nigerian actor and producer best known for his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The Speech
“First of all, I want to thank every single one of you for coming out. This is very important. This is very vital. Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. I ain’t waiting. I ain’t waiting. I was born in this country. I am 28 years old. Born and raised in London. And for a time, every black person understands and realizes the first time you are reminded that you were black. You remember. Every black person in here remembered when another person reminded you that you were black.
None of you out there, all those protesters on the other side, protesting against what we want to do, protesting against what we want to try and achieve. Darn you, because this is so vital
( Asking the crowd to sit ….Sit down, sit down……Sit down. Guys, if you could sit down. If you could sit down. If you could sit down).
I need you guys to understand. I need you guys to understand. I need you to understand how painful shit is. I need you to understand how painful it is. To be reminded every day that your race means nothing. And that isn’t the case anymore. There is never the case anymore. We are going to try it today.
We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd. We are a physical representation in our support for Sandra Bland. We are a physical representation on our support for Trayvon Martin. We are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence, for Mark Duggan.
It is very, very important that we keep control of this moment and we make this as peaceful as possible. We make this as peaceful and as organized as possible. Because you know what guys, they want us to mess up. They want us to be disorganized, but not today. Not today. Not today.
This message is specifically for black men. Black men. Black men, black men, we need to take care of our black women. We need to take care of them. They are us. They are our hearts. They are our future. We cannot demonize our own. We are the pillars of the family. Imagine this, a nation that is set up with individual families that are thriving, that are healthy, that communicate, that raise their children in love. Have a better rate of becoming better human beings. And that’s what we need to create. Black men, it starts with you.
Hey, it’s bad man. We can’t be trust no more. We have to be better. You don’t understand. I’m speaking to you from my heart.
Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this. But fuck that.
Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process. We don’t know what George Floyd could have achieved. We don’t know what Sandra Bland could have achieved, but today we’re going to make sure that that won’t be an alien thought to our young ones. I’m sure you all came today, you left your kids, and when you see your kids, they’re aimlessly playing. They don’t understand what’s going on. Today’s the day that we remind them that we are dedicated, and this is a lifelong dedication.
Guys, we don’t leave here and stop. We don’t leave here and stop. This is longevity. Some of you are artists. Some of you are bankers. Some of you are lawyers. Some of you own shop stores, you are important. Your individual power, your individual right is very, very important. We can all join together to make this a better world. We can all do it together to make this special. We can all join together.”
Hollywood Responds
In his speech, Boyega reflects on the reality that many Black actors and creators have fear of speaking out. The systemic racism in the movie industry makes it difficult for them to call out racist behaviors for fear of retaliation.
Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but fuck that.
Hollywood was quick to respond. Celebrities, directors, and producers were quick to respond in support. The official Star Wars account announced that they stand with and support Boyega. This kind of support for celebrities who speak out is refreshing considering the backlash and systematic racism they face daily. Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback who would silently kneel during the National Anthem as a protest against police brutality believed that doing so, cost him to lose his NFL career. In November 2017, he filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, accusing them of colluding to keep him out of the league.
We got you, John. https://t.co/oX7Rr52omx
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) June 3, 2020
I would work with John Boyega and I urge other Non-Black creators to affirm that they have his back as well. https://t.co/SqXgmIS5aR
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) June 3, 2020
I would work with John Boyega anytime, and I’d consider myself lucky to do so. https://t.co/l3eRnpsXUv
— Mike Flanagan (@flanaganfilm) June 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/CathyYan/status/1268295618528714753
We stand with and support you, @JohnBoyega. View his full speech: https://t.co/Goxb5y2wrK pic.twitter.com/ZvE0t5tRPY
— Star Wars (@starwars) June 3, 2020
Fans respond
John Boyega dead ass had me teary eyed for the first time in a while. That’s pure passion, anger, frustration, and love straight from his heart #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/eE8sqbO9NX
— Brando 🧃 (@BrandosDead) June 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/EverythingSW66/status/1268327299423879171
https://twitter.com/Shaundalorian/status/1268313442777096192
the jedi we deserved #BlackLivesMatter #JohnBoyega pic.twitter.com/cF8P0khbm3
— – (@mynamedeek) June 4, 2020
holy shit! look at this, you make change by standing up and being vocal thank you @JohnBoyega 🙏😭🔥 https://t.co/MI3rKBovH0
— Parris (@vicious696) June 3, 2020
For more check out:
List of info on educating yourself on Racism and becoming Anti-Racist
Temple of Geek Podcast – Why Blackface In Cosplay Is Wrong
