Oprah encourages fans who have been sexually abused
Oprah Winfrey has urged her fans that their experiences with sexual abuse won’t last forever. The 63year-old media mogul gave a rallying speech at the Golden Globes last weekend when she spoke out against sexual misconduct and promoted female empowerment, and she has now continued the discussion on social media.
After sharing a clip from Sunday’s episode of CBS Sunday Morning – in which she spoke to stars including Reese Witherspoon and Natalie Portman about gender equality issues – on Instagram, Oprah began a frank discussion with her followers in the comments.
TRAPPED FINANCIALLY
When one fan said: “Do you realise that ‘normal’ women cannot always speak up out of fear for their jobs and even their lives. When you are trapped financially you sometimes have to find a way to deal with abuse because to not deal with it can leave you without a job, home, family. I wish I could believe #TimesUp but in my world it will never end. (sic)”
Oprah told her: “I GET it. I hear you. And was speaking to you last Sunday when I said.. ‘gratitude to the women who have endured because they had children to feed and dreams to pursue.’ You do what you can to make your life work. I was harassed for years in my 20’s and said nothing because I KNEW for SURE I would have been not only fired, but blackballed in the news business. I also knew I won’t be here taking this – forever. Hold on. Hang in. Do what you need to do to set yourself FREE! (sic)”
Another commenter urged the A Wrinkle In Time star to keep the conversation going in order to “demand” change, and Oprah couldn’t agree more.
She wrote: “Smart woman u are. Exactly what we need to do. (sic)”
In her powerful Golden Globes speech, Oprah spoke about press freedom, racism and sexual abuse before receiving a standing ovation with her closing words about the future.
She said: “I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon!
“And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say ‘me too’ again.”