Benjamin Crump delivered a fiery speech as he accepted the Social Justice Impact Award at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards Saturday night.
“Tonight’s recipient of the Social Justice Impact Award is a voice for those whose mere existence has been criminalized,” said Tracee Ellis Ross as she introduced the nationally recognized trial attorney. “A voice for the collective advancement and protection of black people. Whether it’s raising international awareness of another senseless death of a black person at the hands of police or taking on those who want to suppress and erase our history, attorney Benjamin Crump is a tireless advocate for justice and equality.
After a highlight video, Crump took the stage, where he thanked several people, including NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Leon Russell, God, his family, and “all those who have fought with me over the years for freedom and justice for all a reality.”
“I accept this award as greater motivation to continue to be an unashamed defender of black life, black freedom and black humanity,” he said, as his powerful words lifted the audience to their feet, with people cheering and raising their fists put in the air. “I pledge to use this Social Justice Award as a greater incentive to fight against the legalized genocide of people of color and vow never to stop fighting racism and discrimination.”
“We all have a part to play, so I will continue to fight in court and the court of public opinion. And as they try to ban our most celebrated black authors and AP African-American studies, we must advocate for our children and our culture in the classrooms and demand … that they recognize that teaching black history matters,” he continued. elicits loud cheers and whistles from the crowd as he names iconic and influential black figures from America’s history, including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and John Lewis. “They weren’t just footnotes in the history books. They were the heroes.”
The high profile attorney who has represented the families of George FloydAhmaud Arbery and Band Nicholsamong others, said, “We will not let elected officials eradicate our history, our literature, or our culture.”
“It’s so important that black kids as well as white kids and all kids know that black history matters because black history is American history,” Crump continued, pledging to bring the fight to the classroom. “And all our children should know that their culture has contributed to the progress and history of the United States of America.”
As Crump concluded his speech, he added, “We are willing to fight for black history in and out of the courtrooms. … We must stand up for the future of our children. We must stand up for our children’s future and we must fight for our children’s future. Because if we don’t… we can’t expect anyone else to. … And we must be prepared to fight for our children’s future until all hell freezes over. And then we have to be ready to fight on the ice.”