What a time to be alive! You didn’t have to watch the Golden Globes to witness the giant social impact Hollywood made as we all watched from our couches, laptops and phones.
If you’re still tearing up from Oprah’s Cicle B. DeMille Award acceptance speech, same. It is becoming more and more common for stars to use their platform to address social and global issues but Oprah did what she did best and there was not a dry eye in the house.
“For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up.”
Not only was she speaking her truth as a survivor of sexual abuse but she was empowering those who have also taken initiative to tell their story; stood besides those who have not and empowered everyone to change the practice of being silent and submissive to speaking their truth and abolishing rape culture all together.
“…. So 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 “Me too” again.”
What is also important is that she made sure to include men in the conversation which opinion spoke volumes. What we need to remember is that it is not only women against men in the narrative. But just like women are empowering each other, men are encouraged to do the same. Which we saw last night on the red carpet with the newly instated dress code from men like Justin Timberlake, Denzel Washington and Chris Hemsworth.
What is important to remember is that these celebrities are not just standing up against sexual assault in Hollywood but are making it their responsibility to create a safe environment in every workplace around the world. 2018 is a year for changing the sexual narrative, being a silence breaker and above all, speaking your truth.
HCXO