While Queen Latifah was honored for her trailblazing contributions to hip-hop last night (July 11) at the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors, she not only showed her gratitude for everyone who helped her get to where she is but also used the platform to express her thoughts on racism that's still ever-present in America.

"Listen we all know the world, that our world, is really tense right now," she started off her speech at Lincoln Center in New York City. "I'm hoping that we can somehow manage to channel all of these emotions that we have in a positive way." 

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She also pointed out that her fame hasn't changed the way some people treat her because of the color of her skin. "I don't care how much or things I have, or Puff has," Latifah added. "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."

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While her speech was a heavy one, Latifah explained everyone needs to change their mindsets. "I'm just saying we need to change this attitude," she said.

Watch the video below.