Viola Davis makes Emmys history!
On Sunday night, Viola Davis made history as the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for Best Lead Actress on a Drama Series, for her role as defense lawyer Annalise Keating on ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder.”
The moment was absolutely incredible and when Viola took the stage, she delivered an acceptance speech that will go down in history!
Starting with the words of Harriet Tubman, Viola spoke unadulterated truth as she addressed the lack of diversity in Hollywood.
In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me, over that line. But I can’t seem to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line.
That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s. And let me tell you something: 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. So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black.
And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods, to Gabrielle Union: Thank you for taking us over that line.
Thank you to the Television Academy.
Thank you.
Watch Viola Davis’ incredible speech on page 2.
