1. Golden Globe I write almost 24/7…you can ask anyone who knows me. I hardly watch TV, so there’s no point for me to watch the Golden Globe awards; plus, I don’t care too much for award shows. However, I was in the right place at the right time. People on social media were making a big deal about Oprah’s speech. I missed it. But I didn’t miss Sterling K. Brown’s speech.

2. Sterling

‘This Is Us’ actor Sterling K. Brown won the Golden Globe for best actor. Let’s admit it, when we see a brother or sister succeed, we instantly become happy. Due to our Black collective conscious, we take pride in their achievements. Then we hold our breaths, waiting to hear what they say. Aside from his impressive and decorated IMDB profile, I know nothing about Brown. But his speech was pretty dope.

3. His Speech

While on stage — standing before the mic with his award in-hand — Sterling K. Brown first gives thanks to his wife, the cast and crew of ‘This Is Us’, and then he thanks the show’s creator Dan Fogelman. As he addresses Fogelman, Sterling says, “Throughout most of my career, I have benefitted from colorblind casting. Which mean, ‘You know? Hey. Let’s throw a brother in this role,’ right? [Which] is always really cool.” Sterling continues to say, “But Dan Fogelman, you wrote a role for a Black man; that could only be played by a Black man. So, what I appreciate…is that I am being seen for who I am and being appreciated for who I am. And it makes it that much more difficult to dismiss me or anyone who looks like me…” Brown’s speech was worth writing about because he spoke about us.

What Needed To Be Said

The purpose of my article was to thank Sterling Brown for pointing out that which is still unclear to some people; representation is imperative. It’s important that we see someone on TV, on the big screen, wherever that lets us know that our lives and points of view really do matter. Surely we’ve all seen colorblind casting: a brother playing a role for anyone but a brother. [caption id="attachment_3769" align="aligncenter" width="523"] Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9309598ed)
Oprah Winfrey poses in the press room with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, Calif
75th Annual Golden Globe Awards – Press Room, Beverly Hills, USA – 07 Jan 2018[/caption] Hopefully, Brown’s speech will help shed light on the issue of the lack of representation of Black characters in Hollywood. Congratulations, to all of the Golden Globe winners and a big Black and Women’s Power fist to Oprah — whose moving and powerful speech I was able to watch while writing this — and Sterling Brown for saying what needed to be said. Thank you, for using your platform for us.]]>

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