For the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards, the audience reflected a sea of black as celebrities dressed in solidarity in support of the “Time’s Up” movement against sexual harassment, a despicable flaw embedded in our society.
This movement bears a strong message: “The clock has run out on sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in the workplace. It’s time to do something about it.”
Sexual harassment has been an ongoing issue for countless years, but recently a tectonic shift in society has called an increasing amount of attention to it. Most notably, Harvey Weinstein’s salacious escapades were met with a flood of resistance from a number of women who were sick and tired of being manipulated and disgraced. This was a catalyst for many more women to break their silence and to speak out about similar experiences. This created a united stand represented in the #MeToo movement.
Twelve o’clock A.M., January 1, 2018 rung in the new year and the end of the stretch of time where this kind of behavior was tolerated or swept under the rug. The Time’s Up movement also seeks “equal representation, opportunities, benefits and pay” for all of women of all different backgrounds and orientations.It uses this platform of social media and networking to get this message out and end this once taboo part of society. While this issue transcends the bubble of Hollywood, it is the people in this realm that hold a large amount of influence and impact on society, and in solidarity, we can change the perception of the treatment in women. This is what Hollywood actors and actresses banded together to do at the Golden Globe Awards.
A few actresses that supported this cause were Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Amy Poehler, and Nicole Kidman. Oprah Winfrey was also present, and gave an beautifully empowering speech as she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille award, being the first African American women to win it. In her speech she praised the press and illuminated the fact that “speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” She transitioned to say that she is “especially proud and inspired by all of the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up an share their personal stories. But it is not just a story affecting the entertainment industry but one that transcends any culture, geography, religion, politics, or work place.”
She spoke of a woman named Recy Taylor who had suffered this injustice in the 40s, and illuminated the truth that, “she lived, as we all have lived, too many years in a culture broken by brutally powerful men. And 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.”
Oprah went on to say, “I want all the girls watching here and 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…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.”
When accepting awards, many celebrities addressed this issue in some away and spoke out for the people who have been marginalized or disenfranchised or do not have a voice on the matter, bringing together people from all backgrounds and joining to accomplish the same mission.
photo courtesy of Spectrum News
