This year’s 75th annual Golden Globes took place on January 7 airing at 5:00 pm PST on NBC with 19 million viewers watching celebrities dress in all black attire to support the #MeToo movement. This two-word hashtag became viral in October 2017 through social media and all of this was behind women, mainly in the entertainment industry, being victims of sexual assault. There have been over 51 men in the entertainment industry who have been accused by several women of sexual assault. Those men include James Franco, Matt Luer, Ben Affleck, Russel Simmons, and more.

It was mainly Harvey Weinstein, film producer, that urged women to start this movement as more than 60 women came out speaking against him. Female celebrities remained silent due to their fear of people not believing their story. Eventually that fear ended as celebrities such as Ashely Judd, Lupita, Nyong’o, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Angelina Jolie decided to put on a brave face and share their experience that kept them behind closed doors for so long.

“Women have been talking about Harvey amongst ourselves for a long time, and it’s simply beyond time to have the conversation publicly.” remarked Judd Washington Post

Ashley Judd spoke about her encounter with Weinstein on ABC News with television journalist, Diane Sawyer. Judd said that she went to his hotel for a business meeting, waiting for him outside on the patio. Instead the concierge informed her that Weinstein was waiting for her in his room. At that point she knew this was not a good sign.  

It was in 1999 that Judd had been revealed to Weinstein’s ugly side. During this time she was not aware of Weinstein’s history of sexually assaulting women. Once she was in his room he asked her if she wanted a massage then asked her to give him one. He also wanted her to watch him shower. It was an uncomfortable situation and she knew she had to get out of that room before the problem escalated. She finally left, but she first had to make a deal with him before she could leave. She knew it was not worth being around him because protecting herself was much more important that satisfying Weinstein’s needs.

“I had found my voice. And I was coming right at him.” said Judd Washington Post

As celebrities continue sharing their stories it is easy for them to relate to each other since all of them were kept in fear, felt violated, and manipulated by one person. The idea of wearing all black at this year’s Golden Globes proved to men like Weinstein that time is up. Lake Forest Academy’s junior Layne Eklund agreed with the idea of wearing black at the awards. She saw it as a bold color representing a good cause and awareness for what is currently going on.

“I was really happy to see everybody get the courage to stand up because it seems like a prevalent issue,” remarked Eklund

There were also pins worn by celebrities, mainly the men with their dashing suits, that said Time’s Up. Those that wore the pins posted on Instagram in support of the victims and the campaign. Almost all the women that attended this award wore black gowns, representing solidarity and unity. These women are teaming up to help young girls to not be afraid because TIME IS UP!

“And it’s great to be here tonight wearing black. We really have to—it’s gotta stop, it’s gotta stop now. And we have to help each other and it’s everybody, all genders together.” -Billie Jean King E News!

As celebrities enjoyed their night wearing all black attire, the night sparked when media proprietor, Oprah Winfrey, was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award and left the audience on their feet with her passionate speech on why time is up. Being a victim of sexual assault herself, she wants girls to know that they should not be silenced or hide their stories because base on the amount of people that wore black that night, showed how much support they will get. Even LFA’s senior Jenny Levitt was intrigued by her powerful words.

“I thought it was important how she used her own platform to talk about this issue that’s so pressing rather than promote herself,” said Levitt

Winfrey’s speech was unforgettable and could not have been worded any differently. Freshman Ben Qian said if he were to spread a message to the world he would encourage girls to not be afraid and to be apart of the Time’s Up and #Metoo movement. LFA’s English Faculty member, Amanda Byron, also shared her thought on Oprah’s speech and the idea of wearing all black at the Golden Globes. She saw it as a celebration of people sharing their stories and it was not about Hollywood or the fashion. Byron was also impressed of how Oprah made herself relatable to the girls that are victims of sexual assault. 

“She has a unique voice and everyone will take her seriously, people might not label her as being political, she is making it about all people,” said Byron

Oprah ended her speech with people having a deeper thought on how this  movement is starting to change and better the lives of the victims.

“For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men,” Winfrey continued. She added, in a knowing voice, “But their time is up. Their time is up!” Winfrey E! News