When it comes to modern day artists using their platform to amplify social issues, few are as dedicated as John Legend.
But supporting a cause is meaningless without the actions to back it up, so in “You & I,” John puts all of his lyrical and visual efforts into celebrating the women of the world – but especially those who don’t “conform” – just the way they are.
It’s a progressive man’s feminist stand, but I’d venture a guess that John’s a womanist, too. The phenomenal Alice Walker once explained that “womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.” Womanism particularly centers black women with the understanding that only they engage ALL of the world’s social ills, thus with their plight bettered, so is that of the entire earth. Embracing the perspectives of other women of color and those variously marginalized as well, it’s a philosophy aligned with but much more inclusive than modern feminism.
Though “You & I” opens with his model wife Chrissy Teigen, every woman becomes a star in John’s eyes. Where other productions dodge inclusivity with the “diversity for the sake of diversity” excuse, “You & I” doesn’t shy from sharing women’s milestones, insecurities, and pure joy in a way that’s truly reflective of society and at times, unflinchingly real.
So here’s to black women, brown women, Asian women, disabled women, recovering women, LGBTQI women, fat women, fit women, pregnant women, mature women, and on-your-way-to women. John Legend loves you all, and so do I.
𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘:
“If your mirror won’t make it any clearer
I’ll be the one to let you know”