WOMEN IN BLACK
Actresses take aim at harassment in Hollywood, stand in solidarity with abused women in all industries
Activists joined actors on the red carpet this year to take a stand against sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood. Story and photos,
Paint it black: That was the message of the 2018 Golden Globes red carpet, as the stars chose dark dresses and suits as a protest against sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination in Hollywood.
“We feel emboldened in this particular moment to stand together in a thick black line, dividing then from now,” Meryl Streep said before entering the auditorium.
“People are aware now of a power imbalance and it’s something that leads to abuse. It’s led to abuse in our own industry and it’s led to abuse across the domestic workers’ field of work. It’s in the military; it’s in Congress; it’s everywhere. And we want to fix that.”
That commitment to effecting change was echoed by nearly every celebrity who was interviewed on the red carpet. “I’m here to stand up for all women and men who have been silenced by abuse and harassment and discrimination within their industries—not just Hollywood, all industries,” said Reese Witherspoon.
“Parity and equality and safe work environments shouldn’t be controversial,” said Sarah Jessica Parker.
Sadie Sink, the 15-year-old star of Stranger Things, told a reporter that this was her first time at the Golden Globes. “But what a good Golden Globes to be at,” she said. “I’m interested to see everyone in black and their different take on it. I think it’s great.”
“This is such an awesome night to celebrate women and to celebrate all of us coming together and standing with each other, standing in solidarity and saying time is up,” said Kerry Washington, referring to the Time’s Up movement, which launched on Jan. 1 with signatures from more than 300 women in film, TV and theatre calling for an end to sexual harassment in all industries. During the night, #timesup and #whywewearblack trended on Twitter.
The night’s biggest trend, though, was that celebrities invited activists to be their guests. Streep attended the show with Ai-Jen Poo, director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance; Laura Dern attended with Monica Ramirez, the co-founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, the women’s farm workers organization; Emma Watson attended with Marai Larasi, the executive director of Imkaan, which is dedicated to preventing violence against marginalized women and girls.
“I’m very happy to have (Larasi) here tonight to amplify, amplify, amplify,” Watson said.
Michelle Williams brought activist Tarana Burke, the founder of the #metoo movement. “I think that because of the work Tarana has done and the work that I’m learning how to do, we actually have the opportunity to hand our children a different world,” Williams said.
A beaming Burke said, “This moment is so powerful because we’re seeing a collision of these two worlds — or a collaboration between these two worlds that people don’t usually put together, and would most likely have us pitted against each other. So it’s really powerful to be on the red carpet tonight and for people like
“Parity and equality and safe work environments shouldn’t be controversial.” SARAH JESSICA PARKER
Michelle to be selfless enough to give up their time so we can talk about our causes.”
Debra Messing had one of the most meme-able lines of the night, when she referenced the departure of Catt Sadler over pay disparity at E!, the entertainment network. Messing told hosts Giuliana Rancic: “I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn’t believe in paying their female hosts the same as their male co-hosts. . . . That’s something that can change tomorrow. We want people to start having this conversation that women are just as valuable as men.”