Robert Lee IV called for those with "privilege" to take on racism and white supremacy.

During an appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, Lee introduced himself as a "descendant of Robert E. Lee, the Civil War general whose statue was at the center of violence in Charlottesville."

"We have made my ancestor an idol of white supremacy, racism and hate," he said.

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"As a pastor, it is my moral duty to speak out against racism, America's original sin," he continued.

"Today I call on all of us with privilege and power to answer God's call to confront racism and white supremacy head on."

Lee said people can find inspiration in the Black Lives Matter movement, those who marched in January during the Women's March in Washington, D.C., and "especially Heather Heyer, who died fighting for her beliefs in Charlottesville," he said, before introducing Heyer's mother.

His comments come after violent clashes broke out earlier this month in Charlottesville, Va., at a white supremacist rally.

The city of Charlottesville last week covered up the statue of Robert E. Lee, and the city's mayor has called for the statue to be removed.

Workers draped the statue with a large black fabric, just weeks after violence broke out at a white supremacist rally organized to protest the monument’s removal.

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President Trump faced backlash earlier this month for his response to the violence in Charlottesville. The president said there was "blame on both sides" for the deadly violence.

During a rally in Phoenix last week, Trump defended his comments and argued that he did condemn hate groups.

The comments have been a factor in a nationwide focus on racism and white supremacy.