Time’s Up is just beginning

Time%E2%80%99s+Up+is+just+beginning

Timothy Stolp, Staff Writer

This year, the Golden Globes captured the attention of millions of viewers across America, and all over the world. The message behind the uniform black attire worn took center stage on a star-studded evening.

Time’s Up is a movement sparked in response to the recent host of sexual harassment and abuse allegations in Hollywood, major corporations and the political sphere coming to light. Following in the footsteps of the #MeToo Internet conversation that opened eyes to the systemic nature of this issue, a cohort of women from celebrities to change-makers moved to take hold of the dialogue. On the first day of the year, Time’s Up founder, Tarana Burke, and others released an open letter of solidarity between survivors and allies of women affected by sexual violence that was supported by a cohort of celebrities and change makers. A vast majority of celebrities on the red carpet stood behind the movement with black dresses and Time’s Up pins on suits.

A few female stars brought activists as plus-ones to the show, including Burke, the founder of the initiative, highlighted through the whole evening. Winning women expressed their gratitude and declared their support for Time’s Up. Yet, I can’t help feeling frustrated with certain aspects of the evening’s broadcast. Before the actual awards, pre-show hosts asked questions of the movie and TV stars as per usual. However, the questions about the Time’s Up movement seemed miscalculated, tending to focus on the black attire and the accomplishments or attitudes of certain celebrity advocates, rather than the motive behind it all. In the same vein, the male winners at the award show never spoke about the Time’s Up initiative, despite pins and black outfits.

It would seem that while the platform of the Golden Globes elevated the Time’s Up movement, but Time’s Up has some more consistency to pull together and knowledge to disseminate.

Don’t get me wrong; the sheer fact that this was able to take such a grasp over air time is a phenomenal achievement. Yet, the whole display of support came off slightly performative due to a lack of understanding and complexity, especially on the part of men. As female Time’s Up supporters would probably tell you: on topics such as these, men should not speak over women. However, at an awards ceremony practically dedicated to the bold statement that “time’s up,” winning men could have declared their solidarity and happiness at the showing of support that evening. Similarly, hosts of the pre-show could have taken more time to allow the stars they interviewed to speak thoughtfully on the issue.

The radical display of concurrence that sexual violence in the workplaces of Hollywood and beyond must come to end at the Golden Globe’s was powerful, but could use some work. Luckily, it seems the conversation will continue and affect real change.

As Oprah said in her speech accepting the Cecile B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, “…A new day is on the horizon!”

For more information on the Time’s Up movement, check out their website: https://www.timesupnow.com/

To see the rest of Oprah’s Cecile B. DeMille speech, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN5HV79_8B8