Did you know that in all the time the Emmys have been around, no black woman has ever won the award for Lead Actress in a Drama?
Well you probably know that now we can consider this fact obsolete as the wonderful Viola Davis has won at this past Emmys. Her acceptance speech was a beautiful one that uplifted her peers and called attention to an issue in our nation that many have begun to speak out against in earnest recently: the lack of equality for all races in America.
She said: “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.” If you pay attention at all to the happenings of America then you know that outrage against the blatant racism in America has been flourishing in a big way the past few years. With the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement there has been a call to arms in the black community for members to open their eyes and educate themselves to the misgivings of the system. There has been a huge spotlight on America and its dealings with people of ethnicities other than white, largely the black community, but not solely focused on just this one.
Her acknowledgement of this struggle, even if it is just within the entertainment industry, is a big thing for the black community. Many may not understand why this would be considered so monumental or historical, but this is the first time that the trend of white supremacy in many aspects of American life has been broken in a favorable and amicable way. Many award shows have recently been accused of being “whitewashed” and not properly rewarding those who are so deserving. Many music award shows have come under fire especially in the rap/hip-hop realm because of white artists who participate in a culture that many say they will never truly be apart of or participate in. These white artists win awards for music that the people it was created for aren’t even able to win.
This speech and victory also gives hope to so many young people of color who aspire to do things like this. Even though so many odds are stacked against them, it is possible. It will be a constant struggle for people of color to succeed in a nation where institutionalized racism isn’t believed in or acknowledged; in fact it is strongly refuted by those who will never experience it. This victory gives hope that one day the walls between the people will come down, where we will all be able to live and compete equally without being hindered for something as uncontrollable as your ethnicity or gender or hometown.
I am profoundly proud of Viola Davis and all other women and men of color who continue to pave the way for younger people to believe in themselves and their abilities; who work for their goals and dreams and encourage others to as well, no matter the hidden obstacles that they face.
