Stevie Wonder: Musician and civil rights activist
He won an Oscar, several Grammys and was pals with Nelson Mandela. Stevie Wonder has not only made a name for himself as a musician, but also as a civil rights activist.
A UN Ambassador for Peace
In July 2016, Steve Wonder gave a moving speech to the United Nations. In it, he recalled Nelson Mandela's struggle for democracy, human rights and social justice. Mandela, the former South African president, was "one of the most fantastic, caring and loving people who ever moved on Mother Earth," Wonder enthused.
Close connection to the 'freedom fighter'
Wonder expressed how much Mandela meant to him by naming one of his sons "Mandla" (which means "strength"). In 1985, when the South African activist and politician was still in prison, Wonder received an Oscar for the song "I Just Called To say I Love You," which he dedicated to Mandela. Although the apartheid regime then banned Wonder's music, he continued to campaign for Mandela's release.
A day to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.
Wonder has long supported the civil rights movement in the US with his music. He was one of the leaders of a campaign to make the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr a holiday. In his song "Happy Birthday," Wonder asks how anyone could oppose such an idea. It was officially created in 1983: This photo shows Wonder with King's widow on the day President Reagan signed the bill.
'Ebony and Ivory': A plea for peace
People of all colors should be able to live harmoniously side by side: That's the message of Wonder's popular 1982 song "Ebony and Ivory." The song was written by Paul McCartney and sung by Wonder. Incidentally, ebony and ivory are the materials piano keys were traditionally made of.
Appearing at big events
In 2016, Stevie Wonder sang at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture for then-President Barack Obama, the first black US president, and his predecessor George W. Bush, as well as thousands of Americans in Washington D.C. In 2014, Wonder was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
Fighting climate change and inequality
In 2017, Wonder sang with his son Kwarme Morris in New York City's Central Park. Like all bands performing at the "Global Citizen Festival," they had an agenda: to remind political decision-makers in the USA and around the world of their responsibility to end global poverty, tackle climate change and eliminate inequality by 2030.
Commemorating the lives of fellow singers
Stevie Wonder has performed in honor of other musical legends who have passed away, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Prince. Wonder is pictured here with Tori Kelly at a tribute to Prince in 2016. They performed the song "Take Me With U" together.
Together against the coronavirus
Stevie Wonder has not remained silent during the current crisis. Together with Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and other stars, he took part in "One World Together At Home" streaming event in April. Organized by Global Citizen, World Health Organization and the United Nations, the goal was to raise funds for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response fund of the WHO.