Lizzo rocked the crowd during her performance at Global Citizen Live on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, New York’s Central Park. During her set, the “Truth Hurts” singer took a moment to discuss the fact that Central Park was once called Seneca Village and housed an African American community. The residents of Seneca Village were forcibly removed in 1857 and their community was demolished so that Central Park could be built. Lizzo told the crowd that institutional racism is a problem that has long plagued America and can’t be ignored.
“As we talk about climate change and making the world a better place and solving homelessness, we also have to talk about the [institutional] 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? It’s time to talk about things, and it’s time to make a change. And it starts within. You got to better yourself, so you can be better to others,” Lizzo told the crowd.
Global Citizen Live was a 24-hour global event held on Sept. 25 to unite the world to defend the planet and defeat poverty. Hailing from six continents, the broadcast featured artists, celebrities and world leaders coming together to effect change. The event also featured performances from all over the world, including Lagos, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul and Sydney.
Meek Mill, The Fugees, Jennifer Lopez, Ed Sheeran and Billie Eilish were among the U.S. stars who performed. The 24-hour global broadcast began with its first stop in Paris for the opening ceremony. Check out a few pictures from Lizzo’s Global Citizen Live performance below.
