For the first time I am blogging about Fashion Choices at an Award Show, because They Wore Black and WHY they wore black:
While the Golden Globes is an award show that many celebs have used their acceptance speeches in the past to share about causes they were passionate about, this year you knew those causes not only with a pin, not only in their speech, but the moment they stepped out on that carpet, it was a POWERFUL display of solidarity.
I remember watching a recent Dave Chappele's Comedy Stand up Special, where he said something I had a recent conversation on, after all these allegations have come to light, if women don't keep up the momentum things will get that much worse and that much harder. On that I very much agree. And this Red Carpet was just that show of solidarity and strength I would love to see continue and grow bigger.
I am a born and raised New Yorker, the color black is almost a daily uniform here, but to see that ocean of black on the red carpet of The Golden Globes filled my heart with pride. I live in a city where many woman have experienced sexual harassment, not just in the workplace but on the commute in the subway, just walking down the street and it is NOT acceptable. It has got to stop!
Rosario Dawson did a great job with her instagram video (follow her while you are there) in support of the efforts of Times Up Now and the Times Up Legal Defense Fund who utilizes the monies raised to subsidize legal support for men, women, disabled persons, LGBTQIA who have experienced sexual harassment, assault or abuse in the workplace. I also love her makeup free delivery on this one as well, way to go Rosario! She also thanks others who have come forward with their stories.
Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Brie Larson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tessa Thompson and Rashida Jones posted a video and you can find that one on Instagram as well on Kerry Washington's Page HERE (follow while you are there!) The group's efforts has driven donations to the legal fund which has raised over $15.7 million to date!
Above: Gal Gadot at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards
And while it is sometimes a sore spot in personal conversations with parent friends, I am going to use my platform to remind women who are mothers with sons, that YOU need to teach your son how to be a gentleman, the way he treats women later has much to do with how you raise him NOW. Teach your son to wash his own dishes and laundry, sew his own buttons, iron his own clothes, seek a partner in life because he loves her, not because he needs a replacement mother. Be careful with music videos and listen to how his circle of friends refer to girls and young women, you can set good foundations.
Women can't keep complaining about sexist pigs when they are raising them! We have to do better!
While my Facebook feed has been filled with people 'who just wanted to see pretty dresses' and didn't want 'politics mixed in with their entertainment' - sorry, not sorry to all of you but wake up. Get Woke. If women don't stand up and fight for their place, fight for the respect they deserve and the equality they deserve in the workplace and beyond, we are going to be in trouble, these are going to be the longest four years in history with the person who wants to take us back to the 50's.
That was the point of the show of solidarity people, we are not just stick figure Barbie's who need to dress pretty and put on a show, we are hard working human beings deserving of respect.
And there is also the talk of Oprah Winfrey running for President. I have no idea whether or not she will or she won't, but I can tell you we need to use this impetus to channel and funnel it into a woman taking the White House in 2020. That is not going to be easy.
But think about this, for any Presidential Election, it takes someone with smarts and resources (or the ability to drum up quite a bit of funding) - Oprah is smart, resourceful, always put her money where her mouth is, doesn't back down and has her own school for pete's sake, trying to think of a male candidate in the history of the Presidential Race who came into the game already having built schools.....can you think of one?
In my opinion Presidential Elections have never been more than deciding who the lesser of two evils is.
Don't you want your vote to stand for MORE than that?
Don't you want to vote for a candidate that is smart, savvy, generous, informed and actually gives an eff about people and this planet? I know I do.
Above: Far Left: Tarana Burke, Social Activist and founder of the #MeToo (2006), Right: Michelle Williams, Actress at the 75th Annual Golden Globes.
Aside from wearing black, many actresses also chose to walk the carpet with activists. This year entertainment reporters were tasked with more than just the "what are you wearing question", it was the "who you are with". And it often made them uncomfortable. But when the pre-carpet arrivals included Debra Messings talking about the wage gap at E! while being interviewed by E!, twitter was LIT and it was amazing to see!
It is the #MeToo movement that colored this whole thing. Tarana Burke founded the movement in 2006, and at a very early age she was the victim of sexual assault, the movement picked up momentum again when Actress Alyssa Milano tweeted about it in response to the Harvey Weinstein Allegations unaware of the earlier movement.
The movement was born when Ms. Burke met a young woman named Heaven who had shared with her a story of assault and Ms. Burke regretted not telling Heaven, 'Me Too' and sharing her story with that young woman, and that is how the movement was born.
And now the movement has become a force to be reckoned with.
I hate still seeing commentary that focuses on who started the movement, Tarana did. I hate the commentary talking about Alyssa taking anything away from women of color, she didn't do her research, that she didn't know the movement already existed.
She posted as soon as she learned about it, and quite frankly if her tweets revived the IMPORTANCE of this movement, I'll take it.
Women need to be outspoken and bring these stories to the light.
When it took off again on social, women on my Facebook Feed shared their stories. It was incredibly moving and made my heart hurt to know so many women I actually know have been victims of assault or sexual abuse.
Above: This was me the year my #MeToo happened.
While I only wrote #MeToo as a status update, I never really shared my story. I know many found it odd, I have been in journalism for over 20 years now. I'm a Bronxite. A New Yorker, and I am incredibly outspoken, especially about causes I am passionate about. (I started backwards so to speak, first as a Television News Writer, then Editor for a popular Newspaper, then went to Magazines, then when I went Digital in 2008 I was blogging for a high end handbag line before starting my own blog shortly after in 2009). I know many people were waiting for the whole story. Some sent Direct Messages, others just taggged me on their stories after seeing my status update with the hashtag.
It seems only fitting to share my story now.
As a College Sophomore I was attacked on Campus. I lived at home, that school has no dorms, and while I fought off my attacker and he did not succeed, it shook me to my core. At the time I was studying Taekwondo and while I am sure my Martial Arts Background worked to my advantage in taking back the control despite the element of surprise, it remains with me to this day. I have had a gun held to my head on a subway train although that was an attempted mugging, also not successful for my attacker, and incidents like this rob you of feeling secure in the places you visit everyday. The places you can't avoid, the places where you should always be safe.
My Take:
WAY MORE THAN THAT.
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I had heard of #metoo but not #whywewearblack. Thanks for bringing it to my attention and it is so good that so many people are taking a stand - esp at the Golden Globes too.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone has a #metoo story unfortunately. What happened at the Golden Globes awards was an act of courage and a statement in the same time. There should be equality and we should not shut up anymore and ignore what is happening.
ReplyDeleteNext time I wear black I will wear it proud. No woman should be attacked ever, no matter what they are wearing.
ReplyDeleteI missed watching the Globe award , will try to look for it online. I think each woman has their own taste. No mater what it is we all deserve to be respected. In my opinion wearing black is classy and elegant.
ReplyDeleteNo one should ever have to go through something like that, ever. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it is powerful.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad that so many people deal with things like this on a daily basis. I love that these women stood in solidarity!
ReplyDeleteThat was a powerful night. We had an event in our hometown the night before and we all wore black, but not as stylish. I loved listening to the people speak and Oprah made a powerful statement, for all girl.
ReplyDeleteEveryone looks great this year. Black was an amazing choice.
ReplyDeleteEvery one looks stunning, really classy this year.
ReplyDeleteI was so moved that powerful women showed up and made such an impactful statement for #metoo. It gives me hope that this type of behavior will diminish in the future.
ReplyDeleteI loved what they did this year. I honestly knew thing about it until that evening, but nonetheless, I loved it. Yes, we all have a #MEtoo story.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the unity and significance behind them wearing Black. As a woman who can definitely relate to metoo and timesup, makes me proud we're creating a voice for ourselves.
ReplyDeletePenelope is seriously stunning. She could wear a paper bag and still look good!
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't read the news, so that's the significance of wearing black that night symbolizes. Too bad some didn't wear black that night.
ReplyDeleteThis post did a super good job explaining both movements! I've been trying to stay away from politics for a bit because I always feel like it brings me down. So this was a really good informational post for me to read. They all look lovely in black as you do as well!
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts on this. Everyone should be equal and instead of tearing each other down we need to stand up for each other and build each other up.
ReplyDeleteI think that this was such a bold statement for them to have made. The cause that they are standing for is so important.
ReplyDeleteI love how women have decided to empower each other and stand together bu coming forward to speak up about sexual assault.
ReplyDeleteThey are all stunning in their black dresses. Such a big event. They choose a perfect color theme for that event.
ReplyDeleteThe celebs were all beautiful supporting each other wearing black we all should follow this example.
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