By Samantha Sidi ’16, Arts and Entertainment Editor

“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.”

This powerful line, spoken by Viola Davis in her Emmys acceptance speech, was impactful in more ways than one. Viola Davis’ speech centers on the systematic discrimination against women of color in the entertainment industry. As the first African-American actress to win an Emmy for the best actress in a drama series, she acknowledged, “You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.” The opportunity of playing Annalise Keeting on How to Get Away With Murder would not exist if television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes had not created shows that put a spotlight on women of color. Considering the media’s history of under-representing people of color, Shonda Rhimes pushes boundaries through portraying African-Americans as three-dimensional characters with emotions and sexuality. She has championed Thursday night television through her creations Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder. All three shows portray dynamic female leads that are not afraid to express themselves and take charge. Annalise Keeting is Rhimes’ newest character, a prominent lawyer and professor who is not afraid of risk-taking. This trait is not exclusive to Annalise Keating, as characters that embody the rich experiences of womanhood are prominently featured through her various television series. Crediting Rhimes and the other writers, Viola Davis praised “Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black.”

At Newark Academy, we also strive to push boundaries and have conversations about crucial topics like race. Initiatives like the Equity and Inclusion Team and yearly trips to the Student Diversity Leadership Conference draw Newark Academy into these national conversations about race and identity.

Asia Moore ’16, member of the Equity and Inclusion Team, shared her reflection on the profound significance of Viola Davis’ win: “As a part of the Equity and Inclusion Team at NA and general advocate for women and people of color (POC), I am unable to ignore the sheer courage, strength, and perseverance that it took for Ms. Viola Davis to not only win the Emmy for best actress but to make the speech that she did. The role of POC in the media is normally to be the token “insert race” friend or the token “insert race” colleague but her role in How to Get Away with Murder is one of intelligence and poise, adjectives not normally associated with women of color in television or movies. Although many celebrities disagreed with her speech, specifically when she addressed the opportunity for WOC in roles, I was surprised by the amount of positive feedback she received. Honestly, when looking at the nominations for this Emmy, I was certain that she nor Taraji P. Henson would win specifically because they are POC. I can remember my mother saying the same about Halle Berry when she was nominated, and won, best actress at the 2002 Oscars. Although this win marks progression for the future, Ms. Davis’ speech, her win, and Halle Berry’s Oscar mean nothing without the change of the view of WOC in the media. I refuse to see another token character who enhances racial stereotypes on TV or in movies. No actress of Ms. Viola Davis’ stature should have to submit to being any less than how they represent themselves. This is an urgent conversation that I wish to have on a large scale at NA.”

To hear more of Viola Davis’ message, watch her full speech below. (Video credits to the Television Academy).