Queen Latifah says racism is "still alive and kicking" in this world.
The 46-year-old star has urged black women to "demand respect" and "change the attitude" of others in order to help change the world’s outlook on race.
She said: "Listen, we all know that the world – and our world – is really tense right now. It’s a lot of tension, it’s a lot of angst, it’s a lot of hurt, a lot of pain.
"I’m hoping that we can somehow manage to channel all of these emotions that we have in a positive way by not taking no [for an answer] and really do something to change our world … Racism is still alive and kicking and we have to change that … We’ve got to change this attitude and we must demand respect as women."
And the ‘Bessie’ star also went on to tell her male counterparts in the hip-hop industry to listen to women as they can "show them a couple of things" about music too.
Speaking at VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens, she said: "There’s so much going on out in the world. I just really appreciate a night where we can just pause and celebrate something that’s really great.
"All of these queens in this building, we built hip-hop. And there’s no way that I can allow us to be erased from the history or future of hip-hop so understand that this has been happening for a long time and it will continue. I ask you to listen and open your ears to some music from the females in this game. We can show you a couple of things about music."
Queen Latifah: Racism is ‘alive and kicking’
