Queen Latifah says 'racism is still alive and kicking'

Queen Latifah has revealed that "racism is still alive and kicking" and that we need to pull together "to change our world".

During her acceptance speech at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors event in New York, where she was honoured for her success in the industry, she explained that something needs to be done because the world is falling apart and a change in attitude is desperately needed:

"Listen we all know the world, that our world, is really tense right now. A lot of tension, a lot of angst, 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, but not taking no (word bleeped) and really do something to change our world."

"I don't care how much money or things I have, or Puff has... If I go outside and try to hail a cab and he passes me for the white woman standing right there, that racism is still alive and kicking. And we have to change that. And I'm not blaming the white lady, she needed a cab too. I'm just saying we gotta change this attitude and we must demand respect as women."

Watch an interview with Latifah here: