Last Saturday, the SAG Awards happened, and diversity and inclusion showed up and showed out for the night. The Screen Actors Guild knows what’s up (take that, Academy).
Queen Latifah started the evening off right with powerful and inspirational opening lines.
Thank you #QueenLatifah for reminding us that we are ENOUGH! #OscarsSoWhite pic.twitter.com/xg22mPLNds
— TV One (@tvonetv) January 31, 2016
The Queen took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for her star role in ‘Bessie’, the critically acclaimed HBO TV film about legendary American blues singer Bessie Smith.
Her acceptance speech was also poignant saying, “Thank you, mom and dad for believing in me, and telling me I could achieve anything if I just believe in myself. And I hope that anyone out there who does not come in the package that people say you should, keep fighting for it. Flip those rocks over. Keep pushing. Keep turning. You can do it. You build your own boxes. Not people. So knock that thing away and do you. Thank you.”
Uzo Aduba won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series and also had some words of encouragement.
Congrats to two-time #SAGAwards winner @UzoAduba! https://t.co/8GRnK5LMJ3 pic.twitter.com/Gees3Tai3Y
— Okayafrica (@okayafrica) January 31, 2016
Viola Davis won for her role in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’, taking home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series.
After her win, Davis spoke to the press room about Hollywood’s lack of diversity stating, “diversity is not a trending topic.”
“Diversity is not a trending topic” –@violadavis backstage at the #SAGAwards https://t.co/cHWfimk3zL
— Variety (@Variety) January 31, 2016
However, the big win for the night goes to Idris Elba who took home two SAG Awards. You read that right. Two awards.
His first win was Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for ‘Beasts of No Nation’. Shortly afterwards, he strolled on stage again to receive his award for ‘Luther’, winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries. He even threw a little shade at Hollywood and took to Twitter to celebrate his wins.
You wait for one bus and TWO come along at the same time. Life innit. @SAGawards Thank you. Saaaaaaaagyyyyyy!! pic.twitter.com/XJvtKqJb7B
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) January 31, 2016
And Twitter celebrated with him too.
CONGRATS IDRIS ELBAE!!!!!
— Patti LaHelle (@_maleficentt) January 31, 2016
Yaaas Uzo Aduba, YAAASS Idris Elba, Yaaas Queen Latifah!!!! All winners.. SAG Awards showing Oscars how it’s done #OscarsSoWhite #SAGAwards
— Christian Rutherford (@ChristianBKNY) January 31, 2016
SAG says what the Academy won’t. Congrats to @idriselba well deserved my @gumball3000 brother!
— Bun B (@BunBTrillOG) January 31, 2016
The Screen Actors Guild honored diversity in all forms Saturday night and showed us just how important it is to recognize the variety of talent and stories told in entertainment today. But even when we are not recognized in ways we think we should be, let’s not forget Queen’s message to keep pushing, work for what you want, and most importantly…
DO YOU!
