The Golden Globes was the first major award show since Hollywood first began addressing rampant sexual harassment against women in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Oprah Winfrey won the Cecil B. DeMille Award and she took that opportunity to give a message to all the young girls and everyone else around the world.
She talked about how she felt inspired by all the women who were strong enough to come forward and share their personal experiences to the world.
‘Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.’
She went on to say that she knew that sexual harassment wasn’t limited to the entertainment industry alone and that it “transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics or work place.”
“So I want tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue. They’re the women whose names we’ll never know.”
To show that the problem has been there for the longest time, Oprah reiterated the story of Recy Taylor, a black woman whose 1944 rape by six men did not lead to any convictions.
“She lived, as we all have lived, in a culture broken by brutally powerful men. For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men, but their time is up.”
Concluding with the hope of a new and brighter future, Oprah wished that no one has to say #MeToo again:
“I want all the girls watching here, now to know that a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say #MeToo again.”
She received enthusiastic applause from Hollywood’s elite and shouts of approval from women and men in the room and a standing ovation for her speech.
According to the Hollywood Foreign Press:
“The Cecil B. DeMille Award is given to a talented individual who has made an incredible impact on the world of entertainment.”
Winfrey is the first black woman to receive the honour.
Entire Hollywood was dressed in black at the Golden Globes as a means to raise awareness of sexual harassment occurring outside of Hollywood.
The speech is powerful enough to move anyone.
