Tasked with introducing Best Male Video at tonight's VMAs, Alicia Keys took the opportunity to share an inspiring poem and a capella performance. After noting that today marks the 53rd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, she recited–then sang–the following.
"If war is holy and sex is obscene, then we got it twisted in this lucid dream.
Baptized in boundaries, schooled in sin
divided by difference, sexuality, and skin
so we can fear each other, and hate each other.
We can break these walls, we can build these walls, between each other,
baby blow by blow, and brick by brick,
keep yourself locked in, yourself locked.
Oh, maybe we can love somebody.
Maybe we could care a little more.
Maybe we could love somebody, instead of polishing the bombs of holy war."
"I still believe in that dream that one day our nation is gonna rise up and finally, finally be completely about the true meaning of this creed that all women and men are created equal," Alicia said in closing.
The audience was clearly moved.
