Queen Latifah Says Racism Is ‘Alive And Kicking’ In VH1 Hip Hop Honors Speech

Rapper-turned-actress Queen Latifah is calling for u.n.i.t.y. in the wake of last week's tragic police-involved shootings.

The hip-hop icon said racism remains prominent today following the recent wave of violence that led to the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and five Dallas police officers — and she's ready for that to change.

"I don't care how much money or things I have, or Puff (Daddy) has, or Missy (Elliott) has, the ladies have, if I go outside and try to hail a cab and he passes me for the white woman standing right there — that racism is still alive and kicking," she said at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors show Monday.

"And we have to change that," she continued. "And I'm not blaming the white lady, she needed a cab too. I'm just saying we gotta change this attitude."

The empowering speech drew a rousing ovation from the audience at the ceremony, which was held in honor of influential female artists in hip-hop.

The "U.N.I.T.Y." artist, 46, is the latest pop culture figure to speak out following the horrific shootings. Others include Beyoncé, who paid tribute to the "senselessly" murdered Dallas officers with a solemn Instagram post, and her husband Jay Z, who unveiled a years-old, previously unreleased anti-police brutality anthem titled "Spiritual."

And Aliza Garza, one of the Black Lives Matters co-founders, weighed in on the movement at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors as well.

"This movement is grounded in black peoples' dignity, justice and freedom," she said. "It's about love, not violence."

Race wasn't the only significant topic discussed at the ceremony. Latifah, a Grammy winner, also discussed the importance of recognizing the achievements of women in hip-hop and continuing to celebrate female artists in the genre.

"All of the queens in this building — we built hip-hop," she said during her speech. "And there's no way I can allow us to be erased from the history or the future of hip-hop. So understand this has been happening for a long time, and it will continue. I ask that you listen, audience, and open your ears to some music from the females in this game."

Among the female hip-hip acts honored at Monday's event were Elliott, Lil' Kim and Salt-N-Pepa.

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