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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty I f social media’s reaction was any indication, the annual ESSENCE Festival was an overwhelming success this past weekend. The #EssenceFest hashtag was trending for the past three days with tweets, Instagram and Facebook posts replete with status updates and photos of Black splendor live and direct from New Orleans. But amid the revelry were a handful of serious moments that spoke directly to the past, present and future of Black people in America. 1. Al Sharpton Rev. Al Sharpton ’s keynote address at ESSENCE Fest implored attendees to realize the dire consequences of both America’s immigration policies, the president choosing a new Supreme Court justice as the importance of voting. There should never be a question of NOT voting! You need to vote and get everyone around you to VOTE TOO! #EssenceFest2018 pic.twitter.com/cRhKArHenh — Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) July 7, 2018 “People suffered to give us the right to vote,” Sharpton reminded the audience on Saturday. “And some of you are sitting there, no voting.” Immigration reform remains to be at the forefront of our fight for justice and equality. Let’s not be fooled, this administration is messing with a certain kind of people only. Wake up! Stand up! Vote for change! #essencefest2018 pic.twitter.com/ebMuUPaLf2 — Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) July 7, 2018 2. The new Trayvon Martin documentary The parents of Trayvon Martin discussed the value of Black lives in America following a screening of an upcoming documentary about their son, “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story.” We as a community are actively resisting #EssenceFest @OsopePatrisse @SybrinaFulton pic.twitter.com/TOho5v1rTl — ESSENCE (@Essence) July 7, 2018 “There’s not a blueprint on how to deal with adversity,” Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father, said, according to Bossip . “This film should be an educational film on how we can rectify the problem of justice in our community.” The strength that @SybrinaFulton exhibits is beyond words. #EssenceFest pic.twitter.com/N5dlSpE60L — Wendy J. Roundtree (@WendyJarel) July 7, 2018 3. Maxine Waters Political commentator Angela Rye made sure ESSENCE Fest attendees knew how important California Congresswoman Maxine Waters was, is and will continue to be for Black America, no matter how hard the president works to discredit her achievements. “WE stand with MAXINE!” @angela_rye honoring @MaxineWaters during #EssenceFest Day 2! pic.twitter.com/fuBKHHHnPu — ESSENCE Festival (@essencefest) July 8, 2018 Waters responded in kind by offering some words of wisdom for how to keep moving forward as the powers that be try to make us take steps backward. Feeling exhausted by the state of the political world? Auntie @RepMaxineWaters has some words of encouragement at #EssenceFest pic.twitter.com/vuNDH5GX6E — ESSENCE (@Essence) July 7, 2018 4. Prison reform discussion Rappers Meek Mill and Remy Ma had an intimate talk with NBC News’ Lester Holt about prison reform, one of the most important existential issues facing Black people. Having become all but the face of the prison reform movement as of late, Meek Mill offered his thoughts on how to effect change. “People say we need to fix the system but, I think it needs to be broken and rearranged,” he said . Listening to Meek and Remy discuss prison reform. #ESSENCEFEST pic.twitter.com/jPcs8hYiB2 — Jonesy (@JonesySaid) July 7, 2018 5. The music, of course. At the end of the day, ESSENCE Fest is known to many folks for its star power from top musicians performing there over the decades, and this year was no different. @essencefest @janetjackson #essencefest #janetjackson pic.twitter.com/XOCaRkMAB7 — Megan Thrasher (@jamaicanmae) July 9, 2018 Janet Jackson closed out the weekend with her performance Sunday night, but the days leading up to it included live sets from other heavy-hitting A-listers like Mary J Blige, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Kirk Franklin, Miguel, Salt-N-Pepa and others. We have been blessed with the Mary Bop! This is FAVOR! #EssenceFest pic.twitter.com/m569yJ3EZb — ESSENCE (@Essence) July 8, 2018 Pictures from the weekend’s musical performances can be found here and here , courtesy of Global Grind. SEE ALSO: Man Who Called Cops On Black Man At Swimming Pool Is Fired $1.1 Million In Grants To Preserve Historic Black Sites Across The Country [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3815027″ overlay=”true”]
