A Lit Match

2017 was the beginning of a new era for women. Women stood up and raised their voices across the globe. We have heard their voices, three million strong, during the Women’s Marches that happened across the country. We saw them stand in solidarity wearing all black at the 75th Golden Globes. The media honored these women on the covers of their magazines and have spread their message far and wide.

The Time’s Up initiative comes on the heels of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the Time Magazine article featuring women that shook the world. A riveting article by the New York Times shed light for the first time on not only Harvey Weinstein but also on the culture of Hollywood. Since then hundreds of women have bravely come forward to share their experiences. Time Magazine also made a bold move to name the Person of the Year “The Silence Breakers”. They were some of the first women to break the silence about sexual harassment. On the cover are Ashley Judd, Taylor Swift, Susan Fowler, Adama Iwu, Isabel Pascual, and an anonymous hospital worker from Texas. Only the arm of the young hospital worker is shown on the cover of the magazine. She represents all the unrepresented women that have come forward and made a difference. She also symbolizes all the women that are yet to find their voice.

The 75th Golden Globes was the setting for one of the decade’s boldest movements. The Hollywood Elite all donned black in support of the Time’s Up movement which was founded by actresses, America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Reese Witherspoon; lawyers, Nina L. Shaw and Tina Tchen; and producer, Shonda Rhimes The movement focuses on bringing a voice to working-class woman so that they can speak up against sexual harassment. One of the most powerful speeches of the Golden Globes was made by Oprah Winfrey. Oprah won the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. Her acceptance speech included the Time’s Up initiative and she recalled her personal experiences, as well as the experiences of blue-collar worker Recy Taylor. Recy Taylor was a young black woman who was brutally raped by six white men in 1944. The six men were never charged and in response to the lack of charges, Oprah said, “But their time is up. Their time is up. Their time is up.” The Time’s Up movement was meant not only for the Hollywood elite but also blue-collar workers such as Recy Taylor. By wearing black and boldly standing for the Time’s Up movement, celebrities sparked conversation and continued to raise awareness.

Recently, the Time’s Up Movement came to the Grammys where supporters held white roses. The white roses symbolized peace, hope, and resistance (Romano). Supporters included Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Cyndi Lauper and Reba McEntire (Bruner). The Time’s Up movement has moved from the film industry to the music industry. Keeping the Time’s Up movement going is critical to creating awareness and change in all industries and for all women.  

The revelations that erupted in 2017 have changed the future for women. Women are now bravely standing strong to forge a new way for the next generation of girls. A lit match has turned into an inferno that has burned the past into ashes and has a radiated light brighter than the sun upon the future. The women of these times have produced a bold statement that will be marked as an important time in history and its effects will reverberate for years to come.

Sources:

Bruner , Rasisa. “Grammy Stars Wear White Roses to Support Times Up Movement.”Time, Time, 28 Jan. 2018, time.com/5119499/white-rose-grammys-red-carpet/.

Russonello, Giovanni. “Read Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes Speech.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/07/movies/oprah-winfrey-golden-globes-speech-transcript.html.

Romano, Aja. “Why Grammys Attendees Will Be Wearing White Roses.” Vox, Vox, 28 Jan. 2018, www.vox.com/culture/2018/1/26/16936616/why-2018-grammys-white-roses.