Look Again: Whitney Houston’s Speech Honoring Sammy Davis Jr.

The Sammy Davis Jr. ‘Entertainer of the Yr’ Award has lengthy honored our greatest and brightest within the fields of Black music and movie. The Soul Prepare award has gone to the likes of Michael Jackson, Arsenio Corridor, En Vogue, Beyoncé, Queen Latifah, and Boyz II Males—all women and men who’ve excelled within the artwork of efficiency. 

Whitney Houston, a pop icon who transcended generations of music lovers together with her work in soul, gospel and R&B, joined the ranks when she was fêted the identical award in 1994. But her speech was in contrast to most others, in that the late singer and actress expounded on the spirit of the person the honour was named after, as an alternative of providing a passing nod.

“This award is called for Sammy Davis Jr., a person who grew up and succeeded throughout a time when African-American entertainers may undergo the again door to carry out in a nightclub, however African-American clients couldn’t undergo the entrance door of the identical membership to see the efficiency,” she opened, recalling Davis’ life through the Civil Rights period. “He not solely endured the humiliation of discrimination, he endured the insults geared toward him by his personal individuals who blamed him for making an attempt to rise above the ignorance and hatred, not with rhetoric however via his work.” 

She continued: “Many people which have by no means skilled the racism and discrimination that had been part of Mr. Davis’ life consider him as yesterday’s information. However Sammy Davis Jr. was a large. He was large enough and robust sufficient to provide us all who’ve come after him a carry up on his shoulders. The doorways as soon as closed, however now barely ajar, are his legacy. I’m awed by his expertise and pleased with his energy. I’m grateful for Sammy Davis’ life and I’m humbled by this award.”