Oprah’s Speech Is Important & Will Be Treasured Forever

Oprah Winfrey broke the Internet last night for her incredible speech, and is likely going to be remembered for it for years to come. Not only did she call out abusers of power, but she also did it without calling out names or focusing on one person specifically.

“There are some little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this award,” she said, after saying she remembered Sidney Poitier receiving an Oscar in 1964.

She also paid tribute to Recy Taylor, a black woman who in 1944 was raped by six white men. She sought justice, however, with the help of Rosa Parks, and died just recently. “For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power to those men, but their time is up. Their time is up! I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing … her truth, even now, goes marching on.”

“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have,” she said. “I’m especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough, and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories we tell and this year we became the stories. It’s one that transcends and culture, geography politics or workplace.”

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