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Lizzo Just Gave Her Fans A Mic Drop History Lesson About Central Park's Racist Origins
This past weekend, Lizzo performed at the Global Citizen Live in New York City's Central Park and gave the audience an epic lesson on the history of the park they stood on.
Lizzo has been known to make statements on important issues like the origins of the body positive movement and being honest about her mental health journey. She even packed hampers for wildfire relief in Australia last year.
Now, she's speaking to her audiences on the racist history of Central Park:
"I have to shout out that the land we're standing on is Seneca Village."
"Before it was Central Park, it was Seneca Village — and if you don't know what it is, that was an affluent African American community that lived here."
AS WE TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, SOLVING HOMELESSNESS, AND MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.. WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM THAT HAPPENS IN THIS COUNTRY ALL THE TIME. \n\nHave you been to a Lizzo show? #Liztalkpic.twitter.com/43x0XqzIuz— ALL THE RUMORS ARE TRUE (@ALL THE RUMORS ARE TRUE) 1632666900
The crowd was taking it all in as she continued:
"And they were evicted and bulldozed so [the city] could build this park."
In 1825, Andrew Williams, a 25-year-old African-American shoeshiner, was the first to buy three lots from John and Elizabeth Whitehead for $125. By 1855, Seneca Village held an estimated 225 residents.
The community was mostly African American with some Irish immigrants and German Americans.
The homes in Seneca Village became a respite from the overcrowded and unhealthy conditions of New York City.
In addition to spacious living conditions, the village residents had gained the right to vote, had steady employment as laborers, and many children attended school. Compared to other cities of former enslaved people, Seneca Village seemed to be the most prosperous in the country.
Tragically, the city of New York took control of Seneca Village and surrounding land through eminent domain as part of a project to counter unhealthful urban conditions and provide space for recreation by creating a park. By bulldozing the already healthy and thriving community, the city displaced 1,600 inhabitants.
Where they went was not documented.
Only since 2001, 140 years later, has a marker been placed dedicated to the historical sight.
Lizzo's speech didn't end there:
"As we talk about climate change and making the world a better place and solving homelessness, we also have to talk about the institutionalized racism that happens in this country all the time."
"And if we don't talk about our history constructively, how can we build a better future?"
Lizzo also thanked her supporters for giving her the chance to make a difference:
"Now, I'm a rich bitch—that's exciting; that's never happened."
"I'll be like, 'What kind of rich bitch do I want to be?'"
"And I decided I want to be a philanthropist. I want to give back."
"Why would God give me so much if I can't give it back?"
"So thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to give back."
Her statements have only made her fans love her more.
Yes queen!!!! This is why I love you! You are inspiring, courageous and a fighter! Keep doing what you are doing!!!— LifesAJourney4me (@LifesAJourney4me) 1632676957
I can\u2019t love this enough!! Great use of your platform. Always good to know our history!!— No War But The Class War \u270a\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@No War But The Class War \u270a\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1632671855
I LOVE YOU QUEEN LIZZO!!!!— Japril\u2019s Press Secretary \ud83e\udd60 (@Japril\u2019s Press Secretary \ud83e\udd60) 1632667940
Yess Lizzo, educate the people!— Tye\ud83c\udf3b (@Tye\ud83c\udf3b) 1632706009
The way the cheering temporarily stopped when Lizzo explained how Seneca Village was evicted for the construction of Central Park. That's when what she said sunk in to her audience. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_Village\u00a0\u2026https://twitter.com/lizzo/status/1442135622056087557\u00a0\u2026— Anarchy and Keratin (@Anarchy and Keratin) 1632705858
lizzo making everyone standing in central park stop in their tracks to listen to her talk about seneca village ...... i love this song— occupational vibing (@occupational vibing) 1632617170
Thank you, @Lizzo for shining a light on this important history! Here\u2019s more info on Seneca Village, uncovered by scholars & the Conservancy, about the community: https://bit.ly/3cu2TWD\u00a0https://twitter.com/lizzo/status/1441935080302198786\u00a0\u2026— Central Park (@Central Park) 1632655528
The NYC mayor at the time (Fernando Wood) supported slavery\u2026would go on to support the confederacy/oppose the 13th amendment. . @lizzo performed like 400 meters from where the AME ZION church & a school was in Seneca Village. https://twitter.com/lizzo/status/1441935080302198786\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/KXRJ2L2pLT— Antonio McDaniel(he/him/his) (@Antonio McDaniel(he/him/his)) 1632628711
Big Ups to Lizzo for letting in the whole world know that the concert wasn\u2019t just in Central Park but that black people used to live there. Seneca Village— MrJanuary19th\u2651\ufe0f (@MrJanuary19th\u2651\ufe0f) 1632765226
Lizzo finished her incredible speech with:
"It's time to talk about things, and it's time to make a change. And it starts within."
"You got to [be] better to yourself so you can be better to others."
May this be an inspiration for you to make a change.