Joaquin Phoenix's BAFTA Speech About Diversity Just Won Him Big Respect

Source: Brett D. Cove/ SplashNews / Splash News

Joaquin Phoenx Uses BAFTA Speech To Address Lack Of Diversity In Hollywood

If you happened to see Joaquin Phoenix on your timeline more than usual Sunday night, it was because of the stirring speech he delivered at the 2020 BAFTA Awards after winning Leading Actor. Phoenix used his platform to bring attention to the lack of recognition that’s been given to actors, directors and crews of color.

Watch the speech below:

“We send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here,” Phoenix said IT!

We love the fact that Joaquin not only called out other folks in Hollywood for their failures, he also took responsibility for his own failure to ensure inclusion on the sets he works on! That’s HUGE. How many people do that?

We also love that he said, “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. So that’s on us.”

YES SIR! Take charge. Make change.

Were you surprised that Joaquin Phoenix spoke out?

Here’s his full speech:

“I feel very honored and privileged to be here tonight. The BAFTAS have already been very supportive of my career and I’m deeply appreciative. But I have to say I also feel conflicted, because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege.”

“I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here. I think that’s the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry and in ways that we benefit from.”

“I don’t think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that’s what we give ourselves every year. I think people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work. This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I’m ashamed to say that I’m part of the problem.”

“I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are more inclusive, but I think it’s more than just having sets that are multicultural. I think that we have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. “I think that 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, so that’s on us.”

Meanwhile some of our favorites in entertainment made sure to thank Phoenix for what he did!

Add Joaquin Phoenix to the list of our favorite allies.