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Hollywood Legend Calls for Empathy, Community, and Action
Jane Fonda delivered a powerful and emotional speech at the 60th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, urging Hollywood to approach today’s challenges with empathy and unity. Honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award, the 87-year-old actress and activist used her platform to inspire industry professionals and viewers alike to “give a damn about other people.”
Empathy is Strength, Not Weakness
Fonda, known for her decades-long career in film, television, and activism, emphasized the importance of empathy in acting and in life.
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“What we, actors, create is empathy. Our job is to understand another human being so profoundly that we can touch their souls,” she said. “And make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke. By the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.”
She also alluded to the current political landscape, warning of the harm caused by policies that threaten jobs and communities. “A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening,” she noted. “Even if they’re of a different political persuasion, we need to not judge but listen from our hearts.”
The Power of Unions and Collective Strength
Fonda passionately highlighted the role of unions, such as SAG-AFTRA, in protecting actors and workers.
“I’m a big believer in unions. They have our backs,” she stated. “They bring us into community, and they give us power. Community means power, and this is really important right now when workers’ power has been attacked and community is being weakened.”
A Legacy of Activism and Inspiration
Spanning over six decades, Fonda’s career includes acclaimed performances in films such as Klute, Coming Home, 9 to 5, Monster-in-Law, Grace & Frankie, Book Club, and 80 for Brady. With two Oscars, an Emmy, and seven Golden Globe wins, her contributions to the industry have been remarkable.
Beyond acting, Fonda has long been a voice for civil rights, gender equality, and environmental activism. Notably, she was arrested multiple times in 2019 for climate protests in Washington, D.C., alongside fellow celebrities like Ted Danson and Rosanna Arquette.
Hollywood’s Role in History and Change
Reflecting on Hollywood’s past, Fonda recalled the industry’s resilience against McCarthyism in the 1950s. “I made my first movie in 1958. It was at the tail end of McCarthyism when so many careers were destroyed. Today, it’s helpful to remember, though, that Hollywood resisted.”
She then posed a thought-provoking challenge to the audience: “Have any of you ever watched a documentary about great social movements—apartheid, civil rights, Stonewall—and wondered, ‘Would I have been brave enough to walk the bridge?’ We don’t have to wonder anymore. We are in our documentary moment. This is it, and it’s not a rehearsal!”
A Call for Unity and Courage
Ending on a hopeful yet urgent note, Fonda reminded the crowd that the fight for justice and compassion is ongoing.
“We mustn’t, for a moment, kid ourselves about what is happening. This is big-time serious, folks. Let’s be brave. We must not isolate. We must stay in community. We must help the vulnerable. We must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future.”
Fonda’s speech was met with a standing ovation, reinforcing her place as not only a Hollywood icon but a beacon of change and resilience. — Variety