Thursday, March 28, 2024

Pharrell Williams Pens Racism Essay for Time Magazine: ‘The New American Revolution’

*Time magazine’s special cover project, “The New American Revolution,” was created with artist and producer Pharrell Williams. 

For the project, Pharrell curated a series of essays and conversations between Black leaders that explore America’s oppressive past and visions for a more equitable future, with perspectives from Kenya Barris, Angela Davis, Imara Jones, Naomi Osaka, Yara Shahidi, Tyler, the Creator and more. 

“In assembling this project, I asked some of the most qualified people I know in every field – from Angela Davis to Tyler, the Creator, to Representative ­Barbara Lee – to talk with us, and with one another, about the way forward,” he wrote in his own essay published as part of the project. “I wanted to convey a vision of a future filled with the artists, creators and entrepreneurs who can fulfill the promise of this country’s principles.”

He continues: “America’s wealth was built on the slave labor of Black people: This is our past. To live up to America’s ideals, we must trust in a Black vision of the future.”

READ MORE: Pharrell Williams Surprises Norfolk State Grads With Virtual Commencement Address (Watch)

In his essay, the Virginia Beach native also noted his personal connection to being born in “the rugged spot jutting out from America’s mainland that birthed this nation.

“Being raised in the literal womb of America and the origin of this country’s oppression left an indelible impression on me,” Williams wrote. “I am both the promise of America and a product of its shameful past.”

He continued, “America was founded on a dream of a land where all men were created equal, that contained the promise of liberty and justice for all. But all has never meant Black people. Like most Black Americans, I understand that all exists only in the augmented-reality goggles available to shareholders, power brokers and those lucky enough to get in on the initial public offering.”

Williams also addresses the ongoing protests over racial equality, and how there is still work to do.

“The ongoing protests for equity and accountability that have overtaken cities across the nation have made me feel something new that I can only describe with one word: American,” he wrote. “America was founded on a dream of a land where all men were created equal, that contained the promise of liberty and justice for all. But all has never meant Black people … America’s wealth was built on the slave labor of Black people: this is our past. To live up to America’s ideals, we must trust in a Black vision of the future.”  

Alongside his curation of conversations with Black leaders, Williams is premiering a new song: “Entrepreneur,” featuring Jay-Z. He tells TIME that he hopes the track raises awareness of the challenges faced by minority-owned businesses and inspires more collaboration among entrepreneurs of color—leading in turn to “more money and more opportunity for everyone.” 

The unfinished American flag featured on this issue’s cover is embroidery on canvas, representing both a nation working to fulfill its ideals and Black leaders “looking up to a very optimistic future,” says artist Nneka Jones, 23.

Read the full essay, written with Michael Harriot, here.

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