The Most Inspiring Oscars Quotes From Common and John Legend
Common and John Legend won for best original song at the Oscars in LA on Sunday night, taking home the honor for "Glory," which was featured in Selma. It was the culmination of a successful award season for the duo, whose powerful performance of their song and their glorious acceptance speech moved many of the Academy Awards audience members to tears. The moving moments went beyond the stage, though, and continued with their inspiring comments in the press room. Watch the whole video from their time in the press room above, and read the most compelling quotes from their night below.
- John on equality and justice: "When we think about equality and freedom and justice, we know we've got more work to do, and we're going to do that work. We want to do that work, and we hope that our song is inspiration for those who want to do that work as well."
- Common on using his voice: "I feel like to whom much is given, much is required. The fact that we have an opportunity to get to a stage like the Oscars, how could you not say anything?"
- John on powerful songs and films: "What great art is able to do is develop empathy in people so they can see other people's perspectives."
- John on supporting the cause: "When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you that we are with you, we see you, we love you, and march on."
- Common on meeting people from all kinds of backgrounds: "Really, we all got something similar. We relate. I'm really understanding that yes, you may have come from a different walk of life, but we all have something in common."
- John on how relevant Selma is today: "We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago. But we say that Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now."
- Common on his mantra for affecting change: "The more I get, the more I gotta do."
- John on the impact of the film and the song: "I think all of that is helping us to think about how we interact with each other, how to live with the spirit of love and not a spirit of fear. Hopefully we'll take those lessons and continue to learn from each other, recognize each other's humanity and try to strive toward a love that is public. Dr. Cornel West said loving in public is what justice is. We're focused on justice because that's what it means to love people you don't even know and fight for their rights and see the value in their lives."
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