On Feb. 22, 2020, Rihanna was honored at the 51st NAACP Image Awards with the President’s Award for her philanthropic efforts.
During her acceptance speech, Rihanna called attention away from herself, saying she plays just a “small part” in the work being done.
"Tonight is not really about me because the purpose is bigger than me, right? It’s not bigger than us together, but it’s bigger than me because my part is a very small part of the work that’s being done in this world…" Rihanna, via 'Complex'.
Instead, Rihanna spoke about the “bigger” purpose and the need to band together to achieve the “work that has yet to be done.”
She went on to speak about how in order to “fix this world together,” people must fight against “desensitivity.”
"We can’t do it divided. I cannot emphasize that enough. We can’t let the desensitivity seep in. The, ‘if it’s your problem, then it’s not mine’ … They like you? Well, then this is their problem, too." Rihanna, via 'Complex'.
Rihanna concluded her speech by saying that regardless of races, sexes or religions, everyone must urge their friends to “pull up” to marches and protests.