Actress and activist Jane Fonda has urged people to resist successfully what’s coming their way, warning of challenges to come. During her acceptance speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, she emphasized the importance of empathy, calling it not weak or woke.
Fonda, 87, a two-time Academy Award winner, has been a vocal advocate for civil rights and Indigenous rights since the Vietnam War era. She expressed support for unions and noted that actors have a responsibility to create empathy in their work.
Fonda referenced historical social movements, including apartheid and the civil rights movement, saying Americans are facing similar challenges today. She also hinted at the current political climate, urging actors to walk on both sides of the aisle and welcome others into their “tent.”
Fox News hosts criticized Fonda’s speech as being “exactly what the country voted against.” However, her message stood in contrast to some recent awards shows where politics were heavily discussed.
The actress mentioned playing a young Donald Trump in the film “The Apprentice,” implying that actors have a responsibility to understand and empathize with characters, even if they are based on divisive figures.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/movies/jane-fonda-sag-awards-speech.html