Jane Fonda Delivers Powerful, Politically-Charged Speech at SAG Awards/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jane Fonda delivered a passionate, politically charged speech while accepting the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, urging empathy and activism. The 87-year-old actress defended unions, criticized political threats to democracy, and declared, “Woke just means you give a damn about other people.” Her speech, which referenced historic movements like Civil Rights, resonated amid ongoing political tensions.
Jane Fonda’s SAG Awards Speech: Quick Looks
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Fonda honored for her decades-long career in film and activism
- Call for activism: Encourages audience to organize, resist political threats, and uphold democracy
- Defends ‘woke’ culture: Defines ‘woke’ as caring about others, rejecting criticism of the term
- Union support: Emphasizes actors’ role in creating empathy and the power of unions
- Trump administration criticism: Warns of impending struggles under current political leadership
- Historical parallels: Compares today’s challenges to past social justice movements
- Message of hope: Assures audience that beauty and truth will persist despite turmoil
Jane Fonda Delivers Powerful, Politically-Charged Speech at SAG Awards
Deep Look
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jane Fonda took center stage at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night, using her acceptance speech for the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award to issue a powerful call for activism and unity in the face of political challenges.
At 87, the Hollywood icon and longtime activist showed no signs of slowing down, delivering an impassioned message about empathy, resistance, and the importance of unions.
A Message of Activism and Resistance
Fonda, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, wasted no time in addressing the political landscape. “We are in our documentary moment,” she said, referencing history-defining events like the Civil Rights Movement.
“A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way,” Fonda warned. “And even if they’re of a different political persuasion, we need to call upon our empathy and not judge, but listen from our hearts and welcome them into our tent—because we are going to need a big tent to resist successfully what’s coming at us.”
Her words drew loud applause, particularly from actors who had participated in last year’s historic SAG-AFTRA strike, which shut down Hollywood productions for months.
‘Woke Just Means You Give a Damn’
In a direct response to critics of progressive activism, Fonda offered a sharp rebuke.
“Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke,” she declared. “And, by the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.”
The phrase sparked both cheers and debate on social media, where supporters praised her for reclaiming the word “woke” from its critics.
The Role of Actors in Society
Fonda used her platform to highlight the unique power of actors. While many unions fight for workers’ tangible contributions, she emphasized that SAG members create something equally valuable: empathy.
“While you may hate the behavior of your character, you have to understand and empathize with the traumatized person you’re playing, right?” Fonda said, citing Oscar-nominee Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice as an example.
She also reminded the audience of the crucial role that unions play in protecting workers, calling attacks on organized labor “dangerous” and a direct threat to the creative community.
A Speech That Echoed Through the Room
Though the night celebrated achievements in entertainment, Fonda’s words stood out as a reminder that the industry is deeply tied to social and political movements.
Her speech came amid heightened tensions surrounding labor rights, political discourse, and free speech in the arts. By drawing on historic struggles and connecting them to the present, Fonda emphasized the responsibility of actors and artists to stand up for justice.
Hope Amid the Chaos
Despite her warnings, Fonda ended on a note of optimism.
“There will still be beauty,” she assured the audience. “And there will be an ocean of truth for us to swim in.”
The evening’s biggest standing ovation followed, as Hollywood’s biggest stars cheered an actress who has spent more than six decades pushing boundaries—both on and off the screen.
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