Stevie Wonder is heading to West Africa for a profound reason.
During a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, the 25-time Grammy-winner, 70, opened up about his future plans to live in Ghana indefinitely — as part of his efforts to shield his lineage of grandchildren and great grandchildren from racial injustice in the U.S.
“I wanna see this nation smile again,” he told Oprah, 67. “And I want to see it before I leave to travel to move to Ghana, because I’m going to do that.”
When asked if he plans to relocate permanently, the star replied, “I am, because I don’t want to see my children’s children’s children have to say, ‘Oh, please like me. Please respect me. Please know that I am important. Please value me.’ What kinda [life is that]?”
The star’s decision may be influenced by a number of reasons — but it is often said that living in majority Black regions gives Black individuals a sense of safety, confidence, liberation and pride. Many argue that within the U.S., attending HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) gives American Black students the same feelings.
Wonder has been considering moving to Ghana since as early as 1994, per the Orlando Sentinel. At the time, the “I Just Called to Say I Love You” hitmaker told a Washington gathering of the International Association of African American Music that he had fallen in love with the country and “there’s more of a sense of community there.”
Credit: yahoo.com
The post I’m permanently moving to Ghana because I’ve fallen in love with the country; Stevie Wonder tells Oprah appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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