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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 2015)
February 25, 2015 The Portland Observer Black History Month Arts & Page 13 Entertainment ‘Glory’ from ‘Selma’ Movie Wins Oscar Song and bridge take center state (AP) - The Edmund Pettus Bridge stood center stage in both the performance and acceptance speeches by John Legend and Common for their Oscar-winning song "Glory" from the film "Selma". The site where some 600 civil rights protesters were first at- tacked by law enforcement as they left Selma, Alabama 50 years ago to march and returned in larger numbers led by Martin Luther King Jr. to journey to Montgom- ery, Alabama, was visually recre- ated onstage Sunday with a cho- rus marching through it. "This bridge was once a land- mark of a divided nation but is now a symbol for change," Com- mon said while accepting the award. "This bridge was built on hope, welded with compassion." The award was given to com- posers Legend and Common un- der their legal names, John "When you think about equal- ity and freedom and justice, we've got more work to do," he said. Common, who also had an act- ing role in the film based on the historic 1965 march, said it was their duty to speak out, given the stage and setting of the Oscars. "How could you not say any- thing, especially representing a film like 'Selma'," he said. Tears covered the face of actor David Oyelowo who starred in "Selma" as Martin Luther King Jr. and stood with the rest of the crowd for a standing ovation after the pair's performance. Common credited Oyelowo with ensuring "Selma" was made by get- ting director Ava DuVernay on board and involving Oprah. The singer said he had called up Legend Common and John Legend (right) accept the Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘Glory,’ the soundtrack while he was on tour in London for the Oscar nominated movie ‘Selma,’ at Sunday’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles. inquiring about collaborating. right now." men. Stephens and Lonnie Lynn. "That word really inspired me," Legend cited voting rights and Backstage, he said there was Legend said of "Glory". "The song "Nina Simone said it's an artist's duty to reflect the times they live," the incarceration rates of black still a lot to be done. should sound triumphant." Legend said, referring to the singer and activist. "Selma is now because the struggle for justice is We Need a Revolution continued from page 11 Crews, who is a creative educa- tor at a local school, and who empowers youth with hip hop and all other creative progressive stuff, he’s let me do all kinds of amazing stuff. We’ve done work- shops on healthy food and medi- tation, gotten kids into running. I love doing that. And this visit, I’m very excited for an African ancestry project that I’ve been invited to. It’s Friday night at OMSI, and is open to anyone in- terested in learning more about African ancestry. I took a DNA test with this organization re- cently and they’ll be analysing the results at this event. I’m very excited. Portland Observer: That sounds very interesting – is there any last message you want to send out to fans? Stic.man: People should know what we are coming with isn’t just a message of black empowerment and solidarity but also a message of wellness and health as human beings, because health changes communities. It’s a transforma- tional aspect of what I do as an activist and a human being. I be- came a vegan and a certified long distance running couch. We are not just protestors, anti-this or that. We are pro our own things as well, pro-health. We bring holistic health, well-rounded wellbeing. That is the shift in consciousness our last album, Informative Age, made from our first album, Let’s Get Free. It’s the difference about what we want, what are we for, where are we going, what do we need, versus what is against us. As artists we get to make this our life, our music. We have to make that case in the minds and hearts of the community. Dead prez performs at 9 p.m. Sat- urday at Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m. Opening acts include Mic Capes and Zakee El. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased at mississippistudios.com. Stic.man will also be at OMSI as guest speaker for their Genetics Lecture: Who Are You? What is Your In Your DNA? with keynote speaker Gina Paige, co-founder and president of African Ancestry Inc., along with a special performance by the Sébé Kan West African Dance Ensemble. The 7 p.m. event in the OMSI auditorium will be free and open to all ages.