Last night's 67th Emmys Award show was a monumental evening for women of colour worldwide.
Viola Davis became the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her acceptance speech in response to the award, speaks broadly to the power of representation. Using mediums such as television and film serve as opportunities for people of colour to speak their truth and redefine standards of beauty. In turn, these narratives more importantly change how people of colour view themselves. In the words of Viola Davis herself, “the only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity.”
When thinking about culture and communication and how these themes are interchangeable, it must be recognized that there are parts of our culture that are solid. Therefore, television and film occupy spaces for action. Through these spaces we discuss discourses about identity and the intersectionality of race, gender, class and sexuality.
This was a remarkable milestone as we celebrate all of the writers, directors and filmmakers who strive for diversity and rewrite the narratives within television and film.
If you haven't already watched Viola Davis' powerful speech, watch it here: 67TH EMMY AWARDS - Viola Davis
Janaya, this is fantastic post! I watched Viola Davis' speech, and thought it was phenomenal. I think that she was on point in regards to her discussion of representation. This milestone is one to celebrate for sure, but also reminds us that there still need to be more representation of women of colour in television and film roles.
ReplyDeleteWhat is unfortunate is how her win and her speech has been criticized by others, such as the Tweets from Nancy Lee Grahn. Now the main focus has shifted towards Nancy Lee Grahn rather than celebrating the success of Viola Davis and her message.
For someone who is an avid fan of the show "How to Get Away with Murder", and is even more of a fan of Viola Davis, this was definitely a defining moment in television worth celebrating and I could not be happier for Viola Davis. She is a woman who deserves everything as she puts her heart and soul into the role she plays on HTGAM.
ReplyDeleteI think it is rather unfortunate that certain people are criticizing Viola and this victory, however at the end of the day I think it is beneficial and important to realize that this is a milestone for women of colour on television. Despite people who disagree, this is just the beginning of change to come.
I love the way the internet has made this moment one that can be appreciated even by those who don't care for the Emmys.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of views this YouTube clip gives a quantitative representation of the impact of her words. If she had made this speech before the internet, only a limited audience of people who watch the Emmys would be able to discuss its impact. Thanks to YouTube, we can see exactly how many people are talking about it and we can watch the receptive audience of this message grow, which I think furthers her impact.
Very cool.
Precisely som Nicole. Social Media enables an engagement and interactivity with television as a medium and mode of entertainment that just was not possible in the age of mass media.
DeleteMoments like these are so important, especially on a world stage such as the Emmy Awards. Her speech was carefully worded and so eloquently put. It is clear that her speech had a lasting impact on the viewers of the awards show and the attendees as it was trending on Facebook and many of my Facebook friends shared this speech as well.
ReplyDeleteAfter Viola so graciously called out to the lack of diversity in film and in television, a white soap opera actress named Nancy Lee Grahn turned to twitter to express her disagreement in Viola winning the award. She went on to tweet about the experiences of Viola as a black woman and her subordination which she has no place to speak on that.
Check out the Buzzfeed article here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/who-is-nancy#.hjPeamAwa