BAFTAs: Joaquin Phoenix Delivers Powerful Speech About Lack Of Diversity In This Year’s Awards

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BAFTAs: Joaquin Phoenix Delivers Powerful Speech About Lack Of Diversity In This Year’s Awards Season https://t.co/vFk4TiPE2U pic.twitter.com/5U8OONiwBg
- Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 2, 2020

“I feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege. I think we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here,” Joaquin said when accepting the award for Best Actor.

“I don’t think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work. This is not a self-righteous condemnation. I’m part of the problem,” Phoenix continued. “We have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. I think it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it. That’s on us."

An uncomfortable silence filled the hall for a long noticeable moment. Thank you Joaquin.
- Lulu Wang (@thumbelulu) February 2, 2020

The speech:

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