Oprah Winfrey, known for her ability to instill hope and inspiration in others, was the first Black woman to be awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes last night. And after her amazing accepance speech, rumor has it that a presidential future might be in Oprah's future.
If it's true, We. Are. So. Here. For. It.
Her acceptance speech was an eloquent monologue laced with so many truths that a standing ovation did not suffice. As if her cinematic contributions were not enough to the world of entertainment, this speech was surely the conferment of her excellence.
She spoke to the power of the voice - that using your story to drive conversations instead of biting the tongue is one of the biggest acts of courage. Speaking our truth is the most powerful tool we have because it is not only the gateway to living a life of fulfillment for ourselves, but is the catalyst that works to illuminate someone else in their own journey - to healing, to self-discovery, to leadership.
"For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those [brutally powerful] men. But their time is up. Their time is up."
Oprah's acceptance speech was a sweet culmination to the aura of solidarity that was present the whole night, offering up exaltation to the women who have stepped forward in the past year, and also in history, to push the conversation forward about the imbalance of power that lies - awake and breathing - in our country. Shortly after, Twitter and various news sources (including CNN), have evolved the memorable moment into an Oprah For President campaign.
With the recent presidential election resulting in four years of Trump, we learned that virtually anything is possible. Even a billionaire with no political experience becoming the leader of the free world by running our country. Imagine a world led by Oprah. A woman that clearly champions for other women, who prioritizes mental and spiritual health, whose vision of a better future are evident in her charity work and her dedication to the education of girls in this world.
Last night's speech was not only an audible upward fist to the women who are out there pushing forward the agenda of solidarity but a reminder of the possibilities that come with sheer determination and hope. It also served as a call to action for men to listen more and recognize their placement in the equation of balance in industries across the spectrum.
As it pertains to leadership, the world has been led by men for far too long, and maybe it's time that a woman steps in to show us how it's done. Like Oprah poignantly stated in her speech, "Their time's up." With her money, fame, and influence, Oprah would be a formidable candidate for the Democratic party in the 2020 elections.
Oprah for President 2020.
Watch the full video of her acceptance speech below.
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To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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