Emmys Awarded Statues and Provided Talking Points for Society
"The only thing that separates women of color, is opportunity," said Viola Davis in her acceptance speech, when she became the first woman of color to win an Emmy for Lead Actress. Can we all just pause for a moment and wonder how in 2015, a woman of color winning a category, is hailed as history-making? Given the talent out there, it is shocking that it has taken this long to happen. But the Emmys were full of reminders that those in the privileged class -- that do not fit a subset that some group assumes is less able, due to gender, skin color, or heritage -- need to look beyond their complacency and get actively involved in making life more inclusive.
Throughout the show, the plight of marginalized people was alluded to. There was a joke about the disparity of age and wage for leading women and men. Amy Schumer was described as funny for a person, rather than for a woman, which is how the sentence is usually completed. Uzo Aduba won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, and it was cool that it wasn't an earth-shattering moment, just an emotional one from a capable actress. Jill Soloway's comment that her transgender parent could be barred from renting an apartment in 32 states, was, for most people, a staggering update of how things we take for granted are mountainous challenges for those who are judged as not being part of mainstream society. Allison Janney, who sang part of her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for Mom, reminded the audience that many are touched by addiction and her character offered hope to them all. Ricky Gervais quipped that it was "discrimination" that none of the women walking the talent on and off stage were men.
All-in-all, the Emmy's not only highlighted who is doing a good job doing what they are paid to do, but provided talking points for society as a whole.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that Allison Janney won an Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy.