Kevin Mazur / Hand in Hand / Getty Stevie Wonder and Oprah
Stevie Wonder is going to West Africa for a profound reason.
During a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, the 25-year-old Grammy winner, 70, talked about her future plans to live in Ghana indefinitely – as part of her efforts to protect her lineage of grandchildren and great-grandchildren from racial injustice in the U.S.
“I want to see this nation smile again,” he said to Oprah, 67. “And I want to see this before I travel to Ghana, because I am going to do this.”
When asked if he plans to move permanently, the star replied: “Yes, because I don’t want to see my children’s children having to say, ‘Oh, please, like me. Please respect me. Please know that I’m important. Please value me. ”What kind [life is that]? “
Getty (2) Stevie Wonder, Oprah
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RELATED: Stevie Wonder Pen Letter to Martin Luther King Jr. Criticizing ‘Lack of Progress’ in Equality
The star’s decision can be influenced by a number of reasons – but it is often said that living in black majority regions gives black individuals a sense of security, confidence, liberation and pride. Many argue that, within the United States, attending HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) gives black American students the same feelings.
Wonder has been considering moving to Ghana since 1994, according to Orlando Sentinel. At the time, the hitmaker “I just called to say I love you” said at a meeting in Washington of the International African American Music Association that he fell in love with the country and that “there is more sense of community there”.
Last month, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s day, the musician wrote an emotional letter to the late civil rights leader and addressed the lack of racial advancement since the struggle for equality, which began in the United States in the mid-1950s .
“Dear Dr. King, I met you when I was 14 years old,” he started. “You were a true hero and you became an inspiration.”
Maravilha later said: “It is painful to know that the needle did not move a millimeter. For 36 years, we had a national holiday in honor of your birthday and your principles, but you would not believe the lack of progress. It makes me physically sick. I’m sick of politicians trying to find an easy solution to a 400-year-old problem. “
The vocalist concluded his letter with a call to action for “everyone in the Senate to speak the truth about what they know they can see physically and to start taking steps towards accountability, forgiveness and then healing”.