John Legend: 'There are more black men under correctional control today then there were under slavery'
In an emotional acceptance speech for the Best Original Song Oscar, John Legend explained the motivation behind "Glory," the song he co-wrote for Selma with Common.
"Nina Simone said it's an artist's duty to reflect the times in which we live," said Legend. "We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago. But we say Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now.
"We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now, in this country, today. We know that right now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today then there were under slavery in 1850."
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