Youtube influencer Logan Paul, who's been no stranger to controversy in the past, recently took a few moments during his podcast to speak at length about the United States' race problem.
Paul's speech far out shined even Donald Trump's recent words addressing the crisis, wherein he merely threatened to send in the U.S. military to bring an end to unrest, an approach that has drawn widespread backlash.
The influencer's speech, however, has been well-received by folks across the internet. And it came as a surprise for most.
After all, the Youtuber has found good press hard to come by ever since he posted a video of a dead body he found in Japan's "Suicide Forest," a place where many struggling with mental health crises go to end it all.
At the time, Paul, who currently boasts 25-million subscribers, was accused of being insensitive to a significant and delicate issue that affects so many people across the world.
Aside from the "Suicide Forest" incident, Paul has gained further infamy when his old tweets perpetuating stereotypes about Black and Asian were discovered. He also posted videos of himself tasing a couple dead rats.
And while all of those incidents are not to be forgotten, the internet has responded positively to his recent speech about the United States' national reckoning with its centuries-long race problem.
He began by explaining the importance of allies engaging in direct action.
"One of my biggest learnings from all of this and I'm embarrassed to say this but it has taken me 25 years to realise this. It is not enough to be not racist – you have to be anti-racist."
"Condemn those who feign superiority because of the colour of their skin. Hold friends accountable. Hold your family accountable. Hold yourself accountable and most importantly, we must hold our authorities accountable. Police officers. Politicians. Policy makers."
"As Killer Mike said: 'bully the politicians at the voting booth'. Make your voice heard. Attend a protest. Speak up against injustice. If you are white, if you look like me use your privilege."
"For those who do not think white privilege exists you are f**king blind. You are delusional and you are part of the problem. I can count on zero hands the amount of times that I have feared for my life at a routine traffic stop. That has never happened."
He then acknowledged his own white privilege.
"Half of the reason I was able to get away with the hooligan s**t I get away with on my vlogs is because I'm a white kid. I'm confident that I do not have to fear for my life should the cops show up. Acknowledge and weaponize your privilege. I believe we are going to a protest today, you can bet your f**king a** I'll be on the front line."
Paul made sure to call in other influencers and celebrities to use their louder voice effectively.
"Knowing all this about America, it's racially charged background, it's inability to truly treat humans as equals, even after 200 years after its inception we must now work to making a solution and if you are an influencer or a celebrity friend of mine, I hope you are using your platform to continue to spread the message of solidarity and unity."
"I do not have all the answers but I know we must not reverse engineer the system as a collective."
He closed by naming the most recent black people slayed at the hands of white police officers, or violent citizens.
"We must open our eyes and realise that there is only one race and that is the human race. On behalf of Breonna Taylor, we must change. On behalf of Ahmaud Arbery we must advance. On behalf of George Floyd and the hundreds of others who have been unjustly murdered in this country, we must evolve."
I am definitely not a fan of Logan Paul but posting this to all his young followers, and going to a protest to be on the front lines is exactly what people want large influences to be doing. https://t.co/NPyXq3MqHS
— Pop Culture Professor (@GutianGang) June 2, 2020
Twitter begrudgingly shared its excitement for Paul's conscious moment.
the worst person you know is based and correct this sort of sucks but mostly rules
— Thiccest Luigi 🏴🚩 (@realjacobdee) June 2, 2020
I don't trust him one bit, but.... pic.twitter.com/uo6VqHrkgd
— Kaelis (@KaelisMirage) June 3, 2020
He even started to tear up near the end.
For the first time, I actually agree with this man.
— TSN | Don't Ever @ Fuck the Police (@no_dont_ever) June 3, 2020
Time will tell if Logan Paul's following hears the message loud and clear, and does the anti-racist work he advocated for.