Of the many cases related to police brutality, the death of Breonna Taylor was one of the most heartbreaking because of her character and how unfair the situation was for her.
Actress Regina King and Uzo Aduba used their acceptance speeches during the Emmys to address Taylor’s story.
Both African American actresses wore a t-shirt that bore Taylor’s image and name, widely known online as “Say Her Name” shirt. While King’s shirt had the actual slogan written on the shirt, Aduba’s shirt had Taylor’s name sewn in gold.
Interestingly, neither of the actresses directly mentioned Taylor or the Black Lives Matter movement in their speeches. Whether this was their decision to keep the ceremonies as apolitical as possible or if they were asked to do so is unknown, although the latter is more likely.
However, Twitter and other online users were quick to understanding the messages that the two award winners wanted to send to the readers. Many praised the two actresses for continuing the fight against racism in one of the most watched award ceremonies around the US.
In a virtual press room conference that was held after the ceremony, King did get a chance to explain her choice of apparel to the reporters. The star of “Watchmen” said Taylor’s story and its implications seemed like a perfect fit for this year’s theme of “Come as you are”.
Underlining the fact that the officers responsible for Taylor’s death has still not been found accountable, King said Taylor represents a much longer history of forced subservience and violence that many like her and others had to face in history.
King also commented on Adubo’s choice of clothes as well. Calling her colleague a sister, King said she got the confidence that the message she was trying to send resonated with others and was the right thing. The star from “Orange Is the New Black” thanked King for her kind words.
Recently, partial justice was brought to the Taylor family when the city of Louisville, Kentucky legally settled Breonna’s wrongful death case with $12 million along with an apology from the Mayor himself who vowed to prevent further tragedies in Taylor’s memory.
Share with us your thoughts on this issue, and be sure to follow us on Facebook for more news like this one.
Replaced!