Oprah Winfrey: why was her speech in the Golden Globes important?
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Oprah Winfrey won the Cecile B. Demille award for being an "example to follow for women and girls" and for being "one of the most influential women in recent times". Reese Witherspoon presented Winfrey this way: "when Oprah talks everyone stands and listens". In her speech, Winfrey she dedicated the award to women and girls who have fought for their rights and tried to avoid abuses and injustices. Additionally, she said that she felt inspired and proud by women who have empowered themselves to talk about their own experiences. She also expressed rejection of the abuse and rape that women have had to suffer, whether due to cultural, labor or home care issues. During her inspiring speech, she also addressed the issue of racism.
What does Oprah Winfrey symbolize?
Oprah Winfrey is a presenter, actress and producer has been known in the United States for her television show "The Oprah Winfrey Show", for which she has won 5 times the Emmy Award. Winfrey has been cataloged the richest African American person of the 20th century. Beyond this, Oprah is a symbol of both feminism and the vindication of the rights of African Americans, because during her childhood she had to face situations of violence, discrimination and abuse. Even in her inspiring speech, she highlighted the case of Recy Taylor, an African American woman who suffered sexual harassment in the 1940s by six white men and whose case remained unpunished, and thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Charitable Trust (HFPA) for its work, because this organization recognizes that "the press is being attacked, but it is the handing over of the press to bring the truth to light, which prevents corruption and injustice from growing further". "Talking and telling the truth is the most important tool powerful that we all have".
A possible political campaign
From the ovation that Oprah received for her speech, people through social media manifested the need for Oprah to run for presidency for 2020. Two friends of the presenter anonymously informed the media that Oprah is seriously thinking about the idea of running as a candidate for the Oval Office career. Additionally, in digital media several personalities such as Meryl Streep affirmed that the need for a person with the ideals and proposals of Oprah to participate in the run for presidency is undeniable.
This award is important because it is the first time that an African American receives it and highlights the work that Oprah Winfrey has done for the rights and empowerment of women from her own experience.
Latin American Post | Tatiana Restrepo
Copy edited by Laura Rocha Rueda
