Lizzo Calls Speaks On Institutional Racism During Her Global Citizen Live Set

Lizzo used her performance during Global Citizen Live on Saturday evening to speak up about institutional racism.

Appearing on stage in New York City’s Central Park, the 33-year-old singer performed some of her biggest hits, like “Truth Hurts” and “Juice.”

Dressed in a pink catsuit, Lizzo took time out of her set to speak about more than music. She started by thanking Global CItizen Live and the audience before letting the crowd know that now that she’s a “rich bitch,” she wants to be a philanthropist.

She then took time out to explain that the location Central Park was built on belonged to an area called Seneca Village. In the mid-19th century, the area was an affluent Black neighborhood. The residents were forcibly removed, and the community was torn down to build the park. 

“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,” Lizzo said.

“And if we don’t talk about our history constructively, how can we build a better future?” she continued. “It’s time to talk about things, and it’s time to make a change. And it starts within. You got to better to yourself, so you can be better to others.”

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.

Have you been to a Lizzo show? #Liztalk pic.twitter.com/43x0XqzIuz

— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 26, 2021