Viola Davis’ historic Emmy Award acceptance speech was beloved by many, but hated by ‘General Hospital’ actress Nancy Lee Grahn on Sunday, Sept. 20. Grahn quickly took to Twitter to criticize Davis for her speech, which delved into the topic of racial diversity in Hollywood. After facing enormous backlash by the Twitter community, Grahn apologized for her earlier statements.
Davis made history, for being the first African-American woman to win an award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Davis won for her role as law professor Annalisse Keating in the ABC drama series, ‘How to Get Away with Murder.’ When her name was announced as the recipient of the award, Davis rushed onto the stage and quoted the legendary Harriet Tubman.
The actress’ speech reflected upon the progression of societal views on African-American women in the 1800s, to that of today’s generation in 2015. “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” said Davis. She thanked writers for creating the opportunity for black women to win an Emmy. She described them as people “who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black.”
Nancy Lee Grahn/Twitter
“I apologize for my earlier tweets and now realize I need to check my own privilege. My intention was not to take this historic and important moment from Viola Davis or other women of color but I realize that my intention doesn't matter here because that is what I ended up doing,” tweeted 57-year-old Grahn.
“I learned a lot tonight and I admit that there are still some things I don't understand but I am trying to and will let this be a learning experience for me.”
Viola Davis Emmy Acceptance Speech:
"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."
