Grab A Tissue! Angela Bassett's Tear-Jerker Oscars Speech Is a Message We All Need to Hear

At the 14th annual Governors Awards on Tuesday night, Angela Bassett officially became an Oscar winner. Although some may have felt that the honor was the Academy’s consolation prize for them failing to award the decorated and beloved Black actress a Oscar on more than one occasion—(I, along with many feel like she’s well-deserving of it for both her role in “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”—it was still momentous and awe-inspiring evening thanks in large part to her moving acceptance speech.

Before getting up to accept her Oscar, Bassett was honored by yet another beloved pillar in Black Hollywood and the industry at-large: Regina King. Describing her “sister” as “artistic excellence embodied in human form,” the “One Night in Miami” director showered her close friend with praise before sharing a sweet kiss moments before Bassett’s speech began.

The “Waiting to Exhale” star began by “offering a lifetime of gratitude” to her friends and family—namely her supportive husband Courtney B. Vance, children Slater and Bronwyn, deceased mother Betty and deceased aunt—her team, and her production company Bassett Vance Productions. She also took the time to thank past directors, cast and crew members for working alongside her.

But it was when she decided to reflect on the history of Black actresses in Hollywood and contextualize what her win means in the broader landscape of what’s possible for Black artists that her words turned from a speech to a riveting rallying cry:

From then the “Black Panther” star referenced Hattie McDaniel, the first Black person to ever win an Oscar in 1940 before noting the fact that it would be another 50 years before another Black woman would win an Oscar (Whoopi Goldberg, 1991) and over a decade before yet another Black actress would hit another historical milestone with her win for Best Actress (Halle Berry, 2002). She then reminded the crowd that it had been two decades since another Black woman has won in that same category despite the numerous awards worthy performances from fellow stars such as: “Jennifer [Hudson], Mo’nique, Octavia [Spencer], Lupita [Nyong’o], Viola [Davis], Regina [King], and Arianna [Debose]. 10 actresses who are makers of history in our industry. I call their names to acknowledge every one of them this evening for being beacons of possibility and hope for little Black and brown girls who aspire to one day pursue the dream of becoming an actor.”

She continued, “But this honor isn’t just for or about me. What I hope this moment means is that we are taking the necessary steps toward a future in which it is the norm, not the exception to see and embrace one another’s full humanity, stories, and perspectives. This must be our goal and to always remember there is room for us all. When we stand together, we win together.”

She also encouraged her fellow Black actresses to “fill their hearts with courage and strength.”

“I proudly share this honor with women who stand up when they are told to stand back, who speak up when they are silenced, who remained determined when they are told they are defeated. These women represent those that I’ve been honored to portray as well as the everyday woman who surrounds us, inspire us to keep striving,” she said.

She closed by saying:

Whew, chile. I know we just gave her an Oscar but somebody ought to give her another one for this speech alone. The orator she is, the artist she is, the impact she has—Bassett is now not only a national treasure but also an Academy Award-winner.

Congratulations Aunty!