Award shows in the entertainment industry do not typically bring out fiery, intense reactions and analyses in the hours and days in their aftermath. However, the 75th annual Golden Globes this year in Los Angeles marched to a rather different beat.
Highlighting the major issues of gender inequality, the wage gap, and the sexual harassment and abuse that runs rampant in Hollywood, this year's Globes were more of a political message and protest than an awards show.
The entire movement, coined under the title Time's Up, was physically embodied by Hollywood's biggest female names wearing black in a show of solidarity. The men were supportive, too! Most had Time's Up pins on their suit jacket lapels.
Clothing aside, speeches and remarks made up other big moments of the night.
She didn't wait for the show to start to throw shade. While being pre-show interviewed by the E! network with Giuliana Rancic, Debra Messingsaid (on LIVE television TO Rancic), "I was so shocked to hear E! doesn’t believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts. I miss Catt Sadler. We stand with her.” Spill that tea, girl.
But obviously, the moment that sent tongues wagging and even spurred murmurs of a 2020 run was Oprah Winfrey's. Lasting almost a full ten minutes, Oprah spoke of women in the past and present who faced hardships and abuse at the hands of men. She spoke of how important it was that young girls were seeing her, an African-American woman, being honored with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award on a national stage. She spoke of how truth is the most powerful tool we all have, and how important it was that women spoke out this year after enduring years of abuse.
Then, Natalie Portman came at Hollywood sexism in a much shorter, much more succinct line featuring a very straight face:
In essence, every woman who made an acceptance speech on Sunday evening made note of the Time's Up movement and acknowledged what everyone was dressed in black for.
Of course, such intense political moves can never fully be born without criticism and issues. I myself have some things I remain curious over...
Tonya Harding does not deserve celebrity treatment. Why is she being celebrated and gushed over (WHILST BEING AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES ON A TABLE WITH MARGOT ROBBIE AND OTHER CELEBS) after she was partially responsible for a physical attack on her competitor Nancy Kerrigan in January 1994? Which, by the way, she was almost imprisoned for.
I get it, I, Tonya is based on her life and Hollywood is making money off of her name. But, seriously? Doesn't sound like 'women supporting women' to me! We should probably ask Nancy Kerrigan how she feels about all of this.
More can be done than just wearing a color. I get it, we all think we can save the world and make it a better place when at the end of the day that is actually a very difficult, impossible task. But, I ask the women of Hollywood, can't you do better? You have money. You have public platforms. Why did it take a couple of brilliantly brave souls to get you moving? You can do more than wear a color.
I do not want this to be forgotten. So often in America, especially Hollywood, these momentous trends and events happen and get talked about for weeks on end, only to be forgotten within a month or so. But something as important as this should not fall into that category. It is high time that women in ALL industries, not just entertainment, get the equal and fair treatment they deserve.
Enough of women being paid less than men when they have equivalent experience and educational background and share the SAME job title.
Enough of women willingly knowing they may be sexually abused or harassed in order to climb up the corporate ladder.
Enough of women not getting equal opportunities in the workplace, no matter what industry they are in.
All in all, despite its minor flaws here and there, this year's Golden Globes were one to remember. I really don't think the 76th annual show will be able to top it with this many iconic moments.
And remember:
