Thursday night, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its 39th NAACP Image Awards, which was broadcasted live on FOX. The historic civil rights organization holds the annual award show to honor the achievements of people of color in the arts, including film, television, music and literature, as well as those who promote diversity and social justice.

While there were many deserving honorees from all aspects of American culture, this year’s award show had a strong focus on both music and politics … and rightfully so.

Music
The beautiful art of music was represented throughout the evening – from the performers to the presenters to the recipients. Kirk Franklin and one of his impressive entourages opened up the show with a spiritual performance to set the stage. Later in the program, Grammy Award winning group Sounds of Blackness and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks honored this year’s NAACP Vanguard Award recipient with a tribute medley performance. This year’s NAACP Chairman’s Award recipient, the renowned actress Ruby Dee, was honored with a dedicated song and performance from freedom fighter Angélique Kidjo, who was accompanied on stage by Ziggy Marley.

There was a strong musical presence seen in the list of presenters as well. Many musical genres were represented, as some of the presenters included artists such as Master P and Romeo, India Arie, Herbie Hancock and Janet Jackson. In addition to being a presenter, Janet Jackson won an NAACP Image Award, but not for music. Rather, Janet won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her work in the film, “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?”.

However, two of the greatest honors of the night came from two of the most coveted Image Awards the NAACP hands out – and both went to musicians. The aforementioned NAACP Vanguard Award recipient was none other than the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and the NAACP Hall of Fame Award recipient went to the legendary musical genius, Stevie Wonder.

Politics
Although music, and the musicians themselves, had a great impact on this year’s Image Awards, the NAACP also had strong focus on the current political and social issues of the day. D.L. Hughley, the host of the show, opened up with some funny commentary on the presidential race, taking light-hearted jabs at Obama, Clinton and McCain. But the comedian’s largest applause came after a sincere statement when he said, “This is an amazing time in American history. I don’t have to tell you, we are this close to having a black president for the first time in history.”

Most noticeable, the NAACP did not shy away from the fact that it is an election year by any means. An NAACP press release announced that the theme of this year’s award show was Stand Up & Be Counted, and this was reflected in the 2008 logo. The focus of the organization’s message was to encourage everybody to be socially conscious during this vital political season and to stand up in support of fundamental human and civil rights. This message was clearly delivered throughout the broadcast, including both planned segments as well as impromptu speeches from award recipients.

In addition, the NAACP took some positive environmental steps in regards to the production of this year’s Image Awards. The organization’s press release stated they recognize that “today’s environmental crisis will become tomorrow’s civil rights issues” and in response, the NAACP reduced the ceremony’s carbon footprint and impact on the climate by incorporating eco-friendly initiatives. Simply put, the NAACP Image Awards has gone green.

Music & Politics
What was most fascinating about the evening was not necessarily the specific honoring of the art of music, nor the awareness of the political and social issues of the day. Rather, it was the combination of the two and the presentation of how interdependent these two powerful forces are and can be when given the platform. This was best exemplified by this year’s NAACP Vanguard Award and NAACP Hall of Fame Award recipients.

The legendary Aretha Franklin took home the prestigious NAACP Vanguard Award, which is presented to individuals whose “groundbreaking work increases our understanding and awareness of racial and social issues.” An extremely rare award for the NAACP, the honor has only been designated to just three people in the award show’s history – Prince, Stanley Kramer and Steven Spielberg.

In addition to the musical tribute honoring the Queen of Soul, a video montage was shown which documented her career of touching millions of people around the world with her voice, including the songs which inspired our nation during the Civil Rights era. Aretha Franklin was commemorated for her music, her philanthropy and her support of civil rights throughout her life. During her acceptance speech, Aretha recalled the first ever Image Awards and praised the NAACP for their progress and evolution into a production that is “second to none,” as well as their unwavering support of human and civil rights.

At the end of the show, the Genius, Stevie Wonder, was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame – an honor awarded to individuals who are pioneers in their respective field and “whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come” as a result of their global impact through “high artistic achievement, professionalism and public service.” Stevie Wonder is just the seventeenth individual to be inducted, joining Sammy Davis Jr., Etta James, Sidney Poitier, Ray Charles, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby.

Stevie Wonder was honored with Wayne Brady leading a sing-along of the legend’s own songs by the audience in attendance, and then was presented the award with kind words from Janet Jackson. The Genius was commemorated for his lifetime of music that has crossed all cultural lines and influenced people to come together, for his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, and for his desire to stand up against injustice. The NAACP celebrated the decades of music that Stevie Wonder has inspired us with, as well as his wide-ranging social achievements, such as his relentless fight to make Martin Luther King Day a national holiday, his involvement with “We Are the World” to end hunger in Africa, and the legend’s role in the fight to end apartheid in South Africa.

Before closing down the show at his piano with an unforgettable performance, Stevie Wonder accepted the NAACP Hall of Fame Award with some moving and inspirational words. His acceptance speech was clearly on message with the theme for this year’s Image Awards and in a fitting conclusion to a wonderful night for the NAACP, Stevie Wonder undoubtedly demonstrated the power and harmony of music and politics. In his own words …

“There is, there is so little time to say so much, but I would like to begin by saying, better give all praise and thanks to God for this honor. [applause] I’m very excited to thank all my family, loved ones and friends for their encouraging me, my fans. It is an amazing thing to be honored like this tonight from, by an organization that has consistently, for 99 years, committed themselves to standing up for and fighting for the economic, social and civil rights of a people of color.

And as much as it is that I am excited about this honor, I am more excited about knowing that next year will be their 100th celebration and their commitment [applause] and their commitment, because it was through this organization that we now have two candidates – one, a female, the other, an African American. [applause] I say let them both win so that we can have a strong united people of the United States. [applause]

But I am very, very excited about the possibility. I say to those of you who are young, who feel alone and lost, and without purpose, that first of all you must commit yourself to the process by registering so that you can vote, and then voting [applause] and not using an excuse like ‘Well, I don’t think my vote matters.’ You see, everything that we do matters.

And I also want to say to all of you, that for those of you that are men who feel that we can do it, there’s a man named Barack Obama, [applause] who shows you that there’s no reason for you to have to be a gang member or do drugs or whatever that is. And there’s a woman named Hillary Clinton, who clearly, [applause] should say to every single woman there’s no need for abuse by any man to any woman in the world and you don’t, you don’t have to accept that.

I say [applause] I say to all of you, without question, it is time for change, and we cannot only change history but we can help to determine everyone’s destiny to the good. I say to all of you – yes, we most definitely can. Thank you. [standing ovation]”

- Rapáil Eamon