High-profile women in Hollywood have been standing up in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations across entertainment, with both movie and television stars speaking out about sexual harassment and protesting gender inequality. The #WhyWeWearBlack campaign is in full effect tonight ahead of the Golden Globe Awards, with actresses taking a unified stand in hopes to spark a larger discussion regarding the exploitation of those in Hollywood by powerful men.
“Wearing black is an opportunity to talk about all the other things that we’re doing,” Kerry Washington explained to the Los Angeles Times. “We’re saying that we are three-dimensional, fully realized human beings as women. We are participants in this entertainment industry, and we have something to say.” Variety is reporting that Emma Stone, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Emma Watson, Shailene Woodley, Amy Poehler, and Laura Dern will be accompanied by notable activists.
As part of a continued campaign inspired by the Time's Up movement, these Hollywood A-listers are committing to amplifying voices in the fight for women's rights and racial equality. Sarandon will be bringing along Rosa Clemente, who has campaigned for voter engagement among youth of color, third party politics, United States political prisoners, the rights of Puerto Rico to become an independent nation, and media justice.
Meryl Streep will be accompanied by Ai-jen Poo, the director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Michelle Williams is attending the event with Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, which saw individuals across the world detailing their experiences with sexual assault and misogyny in the wake of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein.
Laura Dern, meanwhile, will be bringing along attorney and activist Mónica Ramírez as her guest. Calina Lawrence, a member of the Suquamish Tribe, will be attending with Woodley. Marai Larasi, Leader of UK-based black-feminist network Imkaan, will be joining Emma Watson, while president of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United and ROC Action Sara Jayaraman will be accompanying Amy Poehler.
Rose McGowan has been critical of the "silent protest," but many actresses and actors are joining in the all-black scheme to show their support.
