President Joe Biden delivers emotional speech, paying tribute to Queen Latifah, Spike Lee, Missy Elliott and more

Last night, President Joe Biden received a standing ovation during an emotional keynote address to the recipients of the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Arts, which were presented along side the National Medals of the Humanities. The ceremony honored 39 artists and thought leaders, including stars corresponding to Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott,

“You broke barriers. You have blazed new trails and redefined culture,” President Biden said in his speech. “You are truth tellers, bridge builders, change seekers, and above all, you are masters of your craft who have made us a better America through everything you have done.”

While praising the artists within the room, Biden highlighted historic pioneers of the humanities and humanities, including opera singer and civil rights icon Marian Anderson. During his speech, Biden fought back tears as he told the story of Martin Luther King Jr. hearing Anderson sing on the radio during her 1939 performance on the Lincoln Memorial. At the time, Anderson was unable to perform on the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall due to her race, prompting then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to arrange for her to perform on the monument.

“He heard the voice of Marian Anderson standing in the sunshine of the Lincoln Memorial, within the shadow of Jim Crow, singing, ‘My country is you, sweet land of the free’ (…) Twenty-five years later, that a 10-year-old boy stood on those self same steps,” Biden continued , choking barely. “His name was Martin Luther King Jr. and announced the dream through the March on Washington. He asked Marian Anderson to perform again, and she did.

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Biden’s speech also touched on the upcoming presidential election, emphasizing the ability of girls.

“I know the power women have to achieve success, and I am helping the next generation of pioneers by proving that a woman can do everything a man can do and more. This includes being president of the United States of America,” he added.

The National Medal of Arts is taken into account “the highest award given to artists, patrons and groups of the arts” by the U.S. government and honors “exemplary individuals and organizations who have advanced the arts in America and inspired others through their outstanding achievements, support or patronage.” Likewise, the celebrated National Humanities Awards “recognize individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens’ engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy and other humanities subjects.”

The 2022 and 2023 award recipients include several Black honorees, including principal and educator Robin Harris, social justice activist and philanthropist Darren Walker, visual artists Carrie Mae Weems and Mark Bradford, filmmaker Spike Lee, and musical artists Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah.

“The power of art and matter. This matters more now than ever. “This is a very important time for the arts and humanities in America,” Biden said. “Extreme forces are banning books, trying to erase history, introducing simple disinformation… You are making history. You fight lies with truth.”