Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Joaquin Phoenix Slammed All-White BAFTAs For Their 'Systemic Racism' In Powerful Acceptance Speech

Joaquin Phoenix Slammed All-White BAFTAs For Their 'Systemic Racism' In Powerful Acceptance Speech
@BAFTA / Twitter

There's currently a major disconnect between acting like an ally and actually being one for people of color and other minority groups. Many of us are guilty of "talking the talk" by claiming our positions as allies, while we never "walk the walk" by making real progress for these communities.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix demonstrated what it means to be an ally this weekend when he used his stage time for accepting an award to talk about inclusion.


At the 73rd British Academy Film Awards, Joaquin Phoenix received an award for Leading Actor for his 2019 film, Joker. But when it was time to take the stage to accept his award, Phoenix shared his mixed feelings for receiving the award, in light of the lack of people of color represented in the nominations for the BAFTAs.

This year, not one person of color was nominated for a Best Acting role, and no women were short-listed for Best Director.

As far as hashtags go, "BAFTASoWhite" is trending alongside the more traditional "BAFTA," as onlookers discuss the exclusively white list of acting nominees.

In response, Phoenix only took a moment to share his thanks and otherwise used his moment in the spotlight to address the problem.

In his acceptance speech, Phoenix said:

"I feel very honored and privileged to be here tonight. The BAFTAs have always been very supportive of my career, and I'm very appreciative. But I have to say that I also feel conflicted, because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don't have that same privilege."
"I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you're not welcome here. I think that that's the message we're sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry in ways that we benefit from."
"I don't think that anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that's what we give ourselves every year. I think that people just want to be acknowledged and appreciated and respected for their work."

Phoenix went on to explain what he believes needs to change, including within himself:

"This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I'm ashamed to say that I am part of the problem. I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive. But I think it's more than just having sets that are multicultural. I think that we have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism."
"I think that it is the obligation of the people who have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it. So that's on us."

The audience was uncomfortably silent throughout the duration of Phoenix's speech, at least until this final statement, when the room erupted in applause.

You can watch Phoenix's speech here:

It's promising to see someone like Joaquin Phoenix, who is regularly recognized for his work, step forward from a privileged position, and then not only point out that he is privileged but also address the need for change.

Many followers of the BAFTAs have shared Phoenix's speech yesterday, expressing their thanks and admiration for the challenging speech.










We have a long way to go in diversifying and equalizing the film industry, and every other field, to better represent people of color and other minorities.

But as long as we continue the conversation, and push to change the system that perpetuates inequality, we're at least on the right track to improvement.

More from Trending

Man looking at mountain view
Tim Bogdanov/Unsplash

Guys Over 30 Share Life Lessons All Young Men Should Learn Early

While older generations pass on their wisdom to younger ones, some things are overlooked.

Younger people wish they were warned about some pieces of information they could've benefitted from but found out too late.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man and a woman sitting at a table and drinking coffee
man in gray suit jacket sitting on black chair beside brown and white dog
Photo by Chewy on Unsplash

People Share Their Biggest 'WTF?!' Moments From A First Date

At the end of a first date, it is often fairly clear whether or not there will be a second date.

Sometimes it's just clear that the chemistry just isn't there.

Keep ReadingShow less
People checking under the bed
fizkes/Getty Images

Kansas Babysitter Finds Man Hiding Under Child's Bed While Checking For 'Monsters'

Many horror movies with plots involving children would be *much shorter* if movie parents listened when the kid complained about something under the bed.

Those fears are often pushed away with, "You're imagining things," or "Oh, that's nothing," only to become a very real problem later in the film. Parents in real life are also quick to brush off their kids concerns as an over-active imagination or too much sugar.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Elon Musk
Fox News

Elon Musk Ripped To Shreds After Saying Trump Is 'An Honest Man' With A Straight Face

Billionaire Elon Musk was ridiculed after claiming during a Fox News interview that President Donald Trump is an "honest man," prompting people to immediately call him out for gaslighting.

When network anchor Bret Baier asked Musk if there is "something people don't know about the president" given the amount of time he and Musk spend in proximity," Musk gave the following response:

Keep ReadingShow less
Ty Burrell
JC Olivera/Getty Images

Ty Burrell Reacts To Fans Thinking He 'Died' After He Missed 'Modern Family' Reunion

Contrary to rumors on the internet, actor Ty Burrell, who played Phil in the hit sitcom Modern Family, is not dead.

He is in fact in the living world. He and fellow costar Jesse Tyler Ferguson discussed this and more in a recent podcast episode of Dinner's on Me, with the clip of their discussion of Tyler's supposed passing posted on Instagram to tease the episode.

Keep ReadingShow less