Sunday night Actress Viola Davis was awarded an Oscar for her Supporting role in "Fences". Ms. Davis gave what was a heartfelt speech. She is an intelligent woman with a good career. I just have to wonder why she didn't take a little more care with her words so as to not offend 99% of this great country of ours?
Perhaps, in retrospect, she might have chosen some better words. She started by saying "All the people with the greatest potential are gathered in this room."
Really? That's a bold statement. Our country is full of folks who have done, or have yet to accomplish, many wonderful things. If you are not an actor, or are one but didn't bother to show up, you don't count.
Is that what she meant? Probably not but that is what she said.
Her speech went on and she said "We are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life"
Wow. So...if I understand her correctly, NO ONE ELSE's job is meaningful and that includes: health care works, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, public works, scientists, tradesmen, farmers & ranchers, laborers, truck drivers, and those doing the jobs most of us take fro granted: janitors, food service, street crews, store clerks, etc. Funny because we're doing the daily jobs that actors PRETEND to do. You are making movies about our lives. Your movies are based upon books we have written.
Without us, you wouldn't have jobs. You need us. Why make movies if no one goes to see them?
I am tired of Hollywood celebrities telling me how I should give for the cause-de-jour. Instead of spending $100,000 per celebrity gift bag, take that money and donate to one of those causes you all beg me to give to. Sorry, but the amount of money that walked out in 'free' bags would have kept some homeless shelters going for half a year or paid for some children's programs.
I am fed up with LA liberals calling me names for wanting the freedom to carry a gun, smoke a cigarette, or vote my conscience. It's okay for them but not for me? They want to allow unrestricted access of undocumented workers. Okay, fine. then let those people move to Bel Air. You want them so bad - take the illegals into YOUR neighborhood. When the crime rate quadruples, you will change your minds and believe me it will happen.
So, Ms. Davis, enjoy your award. I didn't see the movie, but I'm sure you earned it (why else would the Academy have given to you?). I only ask that in the future you not make light of MY profession. I would suggest you might take a day and sit in with one of my fellow Public Safety Telecommunicators and maybe then you'd understand how difficult the job is and why I took offense to your statement. After all, when people need help, they call 911. Nowadays, not just for emergencies, either.
If you don't have the nerve to handle people screaming for help, then spend a shift with a nurse and see what it's like to care for a sick person for twelve hours. Try to understand what it is like to spend a day in a classroom with children who have no respect for you, or be outside in the elements fixing downed power lines. If that is not enough, picture yourself running INTO a building on fire to rescue a trapped person, dodging bullets to drag an injured co-worker out of danger like cops do, or treating an injured person in an upside down vehicle at night on a freeway (I was an EMT for a number of years and believe me, that's scary!).
Again, I'm sure she didn't mean to offend most of us. She probably didn't realize what she said (hmm...maybe, like some locker room talk?)
I have included the link to the youtube video with her speech
Viola Davis' Oscar acceptance speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHTXbGG68T8
Enough of the rant.
Stay safe out there!
She's a great actor, but like all the rest of them, they should keep their political opinions to themselves, or among themselves when accepting an award. She did stomp on many toes.
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