We speak with Oscar-winning musician and actor Common, who was nominated again for an Oscar on Tuesday for his song “Stand Up for Something” from the film Marshall about former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Common is also starring in The Tale, a film about child sexual abuse. On Saturday, Common also performed at the Respect Rally in Park City. He discusses civil and voting rights, Colin Kaepernick, the late anti-police brutality activist Erica Garner and President Trump.
TRANSCRIPT
AMY GOODMAN: “The Day Women Took Over” by Common. This is Democracy Now! I’m Amy Goodman. We’re broadcasting from Park City, Utah, at the Sundance Film Festival. And that’s who we’re ending with: Common. Yes, the Oscar-winning musician and actor, nominated again for an Oscar on Tuesday, this time for his song “Stand Up for Something” from the film Marshall about Thurgood Marshall. Common is also starring in The Tale, which premiered here at Sundance, a film about child sexual abuse.
Well, on Saturday, Common performed at the Respect Rally here in Park City, shared some verses from one of his songs.
COMMON: The day women took over, let it continue
Now women get paid as much as men do
Dr. Angelou lookin’ from Heaven’s window
Tellin’ young girls phenomenal woman is in you
Body is a temple, men don’t pray
Mother Earth’s arms around you sayin’ it’s OK
Toilet seats down, that’s a no-brainer
Monuments in Washington of Fanny Lou Hamer
AMY GOODMAN: After Common addressed the crowd in the snowstorm at the Respect Rally in Park City, I caught up with him next to the stage and asked him about his thoughts on President Trump.
COMMON: I try not to pay attention to a lot of ignorant comments and ignorant things. I mean, I just — it just fueled me more to know that we got to keep spreading that love and empowering each other. I mean, of course, you know, Africa is the home of creation, you know, like where the first people were found. And Haiti is a beautiful country. So, for anybody to…