Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland: Grabbing the Pen

At the Kamala Harris “Reproductive Freedom” campaign rally on October 25, 2024, Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé joined forces to inspire change and empowerment. Speaking to a crowd in Houston, they emphasized the importance of unity, women’s rights, and the power of voting. Their speeches not only celebrated the strength of community but also called on Texans to take an active role in shaping the future.

Empowerment, Unity, and the Future

Vocabulary Highlight:

• Empowerment (noun): The process of gaining strength and confidence.
  • Example: “The campaign focused on women’s empowerment.”
• Unity (noun): The state of being united or joined as a whole.
  • Pronunciation Tip: /ˈjuːnɪti/
  • Example: “Unity among citizens can bring about significant change.”

Grammar Focus: Using Imperatives to Encourage Action

• Example from Text: “We must vote. And we need you.”
• Explanation: Imperatives express commands or requests.
  • Structure: Base verb + (optional object)
  • Example: “Take action now!”

Simplified Explanation:

In the example, “We must vote” is an imperative encouraging people to take action. It reflects the urgency of participating in the voting process.

Key Messages from Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé’s Speeches

1. The Power of Voting:
   • Definition: Exercising the right to vote to influence outcomes.
   • Example: “Voting gives people the power to shape their future.”
2. Standing for Women’s Rights:
   • Definition: Advocating for equal opportunities and freedoms for women.
   • Example: “The rally highlighted the importance of defending women’s rights.”
3. Unity in Community:
   • Definition: Strengthening connections to achieve common goals.
   • Example: “Communities united can create meaningful change.”
4. Embracing Diversity:
   • Definition: Celebrating differences to build stronger communities.
   • Example: “Diversity is a source of strength.”

Through their speeches, Rowland and Beyoncé called on the audience to engage actively, emphasizing the importance of unity and diversity in the face of challenges. They underscored that Texas plays a pivotal role in shaping the future, urging everyone to vote and make their voices heard.

Key Themes and Lessons

Vocabulary Highlight:

1. Resilience (noun): The ability to recover from difficulties.
   • Pronunciation Tip: /rɪˈzɪliəns/
   • Example: “Resilience is essential in overcoming challenges.”
2. The Importance of Active Citizenship:
   • Definition: Engaging in civic activities to effect change.
   • Example: “Active citizenship ensures everyone has a say in governance.”
3. The Role of Leadership:
   • Definition: Inspiring others to achieve collective goals.
   • Example: “Leadership requires vision and empathy.”
4. The Power of Hope and Optimism:
   • Definition: Maintaining a positive outlook despite difficulties.
   • Example: “Hope drives people to pursue change.”

Conclusion

The rally featuring Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé was not just a celebration but a call to action. They urged Texans to embrace unity, vote, and stand for women’s rights. Their words remind us that we each have a role in shaping the future, emphasizing that unity, diversity, and active citizenship are essential for progress.

Learning Tips:

• Practice New Vocabulary: Use the highlighted words in your own sentences.
• Grammar Exercises: Create sentences using imperatives to express commands.
• Pronunciation Practice: Repeat the pronunciation tips aloud to improve fluency.
• Reading Comprehension: Summarize the key messages from the rally speeches in your own words.

By engaging with the lessons and themes from Rowland and Beyoncé’s speeches, you not only develop your English skills but also gain insight into the importance of unity, leadership, and active participation in society.

Kelly Rowland:
Welcome. Welcome, welcome everybody! Welcome to my Houston family. I am so proud to be here, back in Houston, with my mama T and my sister. Welcome to this day, this remarkable, this joyous day. A date, a day, a time, a moment with weight and meaning for our country, for our people, and for the world.

A moment, Houston, where we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred. A moment, when we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of misogyny and racism. We are grabbing back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story that would deny the right for women to make our own decisions about our bodies.

Houston… we are grabbing back the pen! We are grabbing back the pen, that pen, to forge a new path with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. We are grabbing back the pen to write a new American story, a story of community, of equality, strength, of kindness, and of hope.

When I was a little girl and I pledged allegiance to the United States of America, that meant something to me. That flag meant something to me. And today, that means grabbing that pen and casting my vote, as I already did two days ago, for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Now Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny. So do what you do, and do this thing again.

Beyoncé:
H-Town! We are so happy to be standing here on this stage as proud country Texas women supporting and celebrating the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris. A woman who’s been pushing for what this country really needs right now, unity.

It’s impossible not to feel the energy in this room, the positivity, the community, the humanity. We are at the precipice of an incredible shift, the brink of history. I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother. A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies. A world where we’re not divided. Our past, our present, our future merge to meet us here.

Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations. Imagine our grandmothers. Imagine what they feel right now. Those who have lived to see this historic day. Even those who are no longer physically with us. Imagine all of their sacrifice. The sacrifices made so we can witness the strength of a woman.

Standing in her power. Reimagining what leadership is. For all the men and women in this room and watching around the country, we need you. Your voice has power and magnitude. Your vote is one of the most valuable tools and we need you. Your freedom is your God-given right, your human right.

Everybody say Texas. Texas plays a pivotal role to change the course of our future. Texans and Houstonians from Third Ward, River Oaks, Sugar Land, Fifth Ward, Ailey, Memorial, Southwest Side, North Side, all the way down to Most City. We all have a role to play to make this a reality. We’re all part of something much bigger.

We must vote. And we need you. It’s time to sing a new song. A song that began 248 years ago. The old notes of downfall, discord, despair no longer resonate. Our generations of loved ones before us are whispering a prophecy, a quest, a calling, an anthem. Our moment right now, it’s time for America to sing a new song.

Our voices sing a chorus of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity. Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? Because I am. So let’s do this.

Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, loud Texas welcome to the next president of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris.