“Let me tell you something: the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.”
There’s absolutely no stopping this smoking train, Viola Davis has had one incredible year. History was made at Sunday’s 67th annual Emmy Awards, as Davis became the first Black actress to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for her role as Annalise Keating on ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder. An emotional, overwhelmed, and honored Davis delivered a riveting speech in acceptance of the award.
“In my dreams and visions, I seemed to see a line, and on the other side of that line were green fields, and lovely flowers, and beautiful white ladies, who stretched out their arms to me over the line, but I couldn’t reach them no-how,”
Viola quoted Harriet Tubman.
The struggle for Black woman in television has been a topic of discussion for decades. Viola addresses her difficulty as an actress of color in her acceptance speech.
“You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there,”
Viola expressed.
At this year’s Emmys, there were also wins by Orange Is The New Black‘s Uzo Aduba in the Supporting Actress Drama category and American Crime‘s Regina King as Supporting Actress in a Limited Series Or Movie — a record for diversity in the top categories.
These women have changed the conversation and are finally being recognized for their undeniable talents, despite the color of their skin. This moment is a step in a revolutionary direction for sure.
Congratulations to Viola Davis, she’s truly deserving of the honor!
By Tia Long (@ByTiaLong)
