Joaquin Phoenix Address Systemic Racism During BAFTA Acceptance Speech | NowThis

‘I think we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here.’ — Joaquin Phoenix used his BAFTA acceptance speech to shine a light on systemic racism in Hollywood.

In US news and current events today, Joaquin Phoenix called out ‘systemic racism’ in the industry in his 2020 BAFTAs acceptance speech.

Phoenix won the Leading Actor award at the BAFTAs on Feb 2, 2020 for his role in ‘Joker.’ In his acceptance speech, Phoenix called on his peers to ‘do the hard work’ and understand how systemic racism affects the entertainment industry.

The 18 performers nominated in the BAFTAs’ 4 acting categories were all white, which the chairman of the BAFTAs film committee called ‘infuriating.’ Alma Har’el and Lulu Wang, the directors of the critically acclaimed films, ‘Honeyboy’ and ‘The Farewell,’ thanked Phoenix for his speech.

In addition to being overwhelmingly white, the BAFTA nominees were also largely male. Notably, all 5 nominees for Best Director in 2020 were men.

Watch Joaquin Phoenix's full BAFTA acceptance speech here. For more U.S. and world news, subscribe to NowThis News.

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[cjvvaliente]

The Joker out here not joking around! Good person.

[theaverageguy]

Geez this could get him blacklisted from Hollywood....what a brave and honorable man

[a.crawley]

Now that’s real “Woke”, taking responsibility for the system ya live n work in. “That’s on US.”

[tarynbaz_]

He’s a great actor _and_ he’s socially aware.. It’s like two egg yolks in one shell.

[mattsmith]

The was the most beautiful uncomfortable silence ive witnessed

[Sjugu]

Unless the editing is misleading, seems like the audience were not keen on applauding.

[RetrogradeBeats]

I guess conservatives are going to rage on twitter and burn their joker dvd’s 😂

[moereese]

FACTS. He gets it. He's one of the 2 out 10 white americans who aren't racists.

[qwertyd]

Joaquin is honestly brilliant for this ❤️

[smashboogietheilladelic]

Be careful joaquin they don't like being told the TRUTH!

[betperez]

May God bless this man and all the ones that are not afraid to talk about this delicate theme.

[mikemaceda]

Hopefully he doesnt lose roles bc of this

[KandyGTV]

They will try to blackball him now, but good on him for taking a stand.

[MetalGod-idst]

This is so true though. As a coloured man living in the UK for 4 years, I can say that systemic racism by peers and institutions go under the carpet as they're hard to point out and rectify. Most of our voice, struggles and alienation go without even being acknowledged. I like how he humbly acknowledges the situation that he's part of (lack of enough opportunities for coloured individuals-instead of just handouts) and it makes him deserving of the award even more than he already did. Very contrasting to how brie Larson and the "white feminist movement" that is all about "I" and self-righteous "self absorption"

[inspectorbudget]

I wish him well for this courageous act. I pray his safety. But the look on their faces! 😂😂😂😂😂

[toridles]

That’s on us. Yes, it is.

Thank you, Mr. Phoenix. It has to change.

[kustomized]

Kudos. Someone who didn't have to say anything, said everything. 🙌

[arimas]

He probably knows that this speech will damage his chance to get the oscar and still did it... Probably because he doesn't care and put his integrity first as a man ... Inspirational!

[sethwatters]

But good for him for sticking up for others

[MaryamofShomal]

I’ve always loved this man. God bless you Joaquin