Courtesy photo
Wave Staff and Wire Reports
PASADENA — Former Vice President Kamala Harris used her first major televised appearance since leaving office — accepting the Chairman’s Award during the 56th NAACP Image Awards Feb. 22 — to urge vigilance as the man who ended her bid for president in November continues revamping the U.S. government.
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” Harris told the audience during the ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. “While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office — nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us — by we the people.”
Harris, who was greeted with a standing ovation, was frequently interrupted by applause during her roughly 4-1/2 minute acceptance speech.
“This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred,” she said. “And those who forged the NAACP, those who carried its legacy forward, had no illusions about the forces they were up against — no illusions about how stony the road would be.
“But some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history. Some see … the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before, and we will do it again.”
The ceremony also put a spotlight on the fire-devastated, historically Black Altadena community during a presentation by actor Morris Chestnut.
“Homes were lost, stores destroyed, countless lives shattered and over two dozen souls gone forever,” Chestnut said, surrounded by 22 Altadena residents who lost their homes in January’s wildfires. “What was not lost is the spirit of our community and our resilience, especially that of our brothers and sisters who live just a short distance from here in Altadena. It is in times like these that we show the world our strength.”
Apart from the special presentations, the Netflix film “The Six Triple Eight,” which tells the story of an all-Black, all-female battalion during World War II, emerged as one of the night’s big winners, taking home five awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture.
The Image Awards, hosted this year by actor-comedian Deon Cole, honors outstanding achievements and performances by people of color in multiple categories including film, television, music, literature and podcasts.
Keke Palmer was honored as entertainer of the year and Shirley Raines was honored as outstanding social media personality of the year.
Martin Lawrence was honored as outstanding actor in a motion picture for his role in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” Kerry Washington received the outstanding actress in a motion picture for her role in “The Six Triple Eight.”
The outstanding supporting actor award went to Samuel L. Jackson for his role in “The Piano Lesson,” and Ebony Obsidian received the mist outstanding supporting actress award for her work in :The Six Triple Eight.”
ReMell Ross won the award for outstanding directing in a motion picture for “Nickel Boys.” He and Joslyn Barnes shared the outstanding writing award for movies for the same film.
In music, Beyoncé won the album of the year award for “Carter Country” and also for outstanding female artist. Chris Brown was the outstanding male artist and also won for outstanding international song for “Hmmm,” featuring Davido, and outstanding soul or R&B song for “Residuals.”
Kendrick Lamar also won two awards for “Not Like Us,” for outstanding music video or visual album and outstanding hip hop or rap song.
