Jane Fonda again employed the center stage of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards to express her unapologetic political stance, inciting controversy and debate in the wake of her scathing comments. While accepting an award for lifetime contributions to film and activism work, Fonda strayed from the traditional thank-you address, giving a fervent appeal to action, which some considered inspiring and others saw as divisive.
Fonda’s nearly five-minute speech dwelled on the politics of resistance, global warming, and the encroaching danger to democracy. The longtime activist actress did not hold back as she called upon her Hollywood peers to stay alert in the wake of what she referred to as “regressive political forces” endangering both the planet and the rights of marginalized groups.
“I’ve lived my life in resistance, and I’ll let you tell you right now, it’s never been more vital than it is now,” said Fonda, her voice growing louder as she spoke to the room. “We are in a battle, and we must stand up, speak out, and resist every force that’s trying to bring us down.”. The climate emergency is real, women’s rights are being rolled back, and the future of democracy is at stake. If we do nothing, we are complicit.
Her remarks were made during a period of heightened polarization of the political landscape in the U.S., and Fonda’s words instantly drew a wave of responses both within the entertainment industry and outside it. Her defenders lauded her for employing the celebrity platform to bring attention to key issues, with many praising her for refusing to back down on political activism. Some of her fans also explained how Fonda’s words reinforced their own resolve to remain activists and champions of social justice.
But the speech was also met with its fair share of criticism. Conservatives were among the critics, who claimed Fonda was taking a high-profile event to espouse a divisive political agenda. Others felt that the SAG Awards, an event that aimed to honor artistic merit, were not to be hijacked by political posturing. Social media was filled with tweets from audiences who complained about the actress’s “preaching” at a ceremony that was intended to pay tribute to movie talent.
Fonda has been a political activist for change, particularly in the Vietnam War, and much of her public image has been molded by her activism. Being one of the most well-known names in Hollywood, her voice counts, and what she says about politics tends to spark hot debates. This specific speech, though, brought the debate about whether award ceremonies are the right platforms for making political statements or whether they should only be about the arts.
As the dust settles from Fonda’s remarks, everyone wants to know whether this is the beginning of a new era of political rhetoric at award shows, or whether the moment will prove to be another flashpoint in Hollywood’s continued blurring of entertainment and activism. For the time being, it’s apparent that Fonda’s appeal has set off a firestorm of controversy, ensuring that her message won’t be soon forgotten.
