Magnificent Women: Oprah’s Speech at the Golden Globes
#MeToo, #TimesUp and intersectional feminism met head-on at the 75th annual Golden Globes — and Oprah “For the Win” Winfrey stole the show
Oprah Winfrey may have won the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards for her contributions in the field of entertainment, but while Oprah is undoubtedly an entertainer, her acceptance speech soared past entertainment and into the realm of rhetoric, catharsis and Hope.
“I’ve interviewed and portrayed people who’ve withstood some of the ugliest things life can throw at you, but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter morning, even during our darkest nights.”
Hope isn’t easy to find in our current social and political environment where movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp are so necessary and so widespread. It’s disheartening — scary, even — to see how many people have been victims of sexual assault, but we were reminded of something very important during Oprah’s speech:
“A new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, …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 ‘Me Too’ again.”
Women have been beaten down again and again for hundreds of years by men who seek power by any means. They burned us at the stake, shouting “witch!” because we were disobedient. They viewed us as property, not people, refusing us the right to vote. They declared us insane for bad behavior and sent us to institutions from which we would never emerge. Today, they label us liars and attention seekers when we speak out against men like Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein.
And yet, despite everything, these magnificent women continue to fight their way out from under the thumbs of oppressors.
“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.”
Sunday night, Oprah empowered passionate women and compassionate men, alike. She reminded us that #MeToo is about solidarity, strength and moving forward, not victimization. She reminded us that #TimesUp is more than just another hashtag on Twitter; it’s a warning and a promise to those who deny the truth of a brighter future.
“It’s the insatiable dedication to uncovering the absolute truth that keeps us from turning a blind eye to corruption and to injustice. To — to tyrants and victims, and secrets and lies.”
Women like Oprah Winfrey remind us that we are magnificent, we are durable, and we are never alone. She reminds us to dream, to fight, and to believe in not only ourselves, but in our mothers, our sisters, and every woman who has ever battled injustice. Time’s up, eyes are open, and change is inevitable.
Watch Oprah’s full speech here:
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