What I Know For Sure: Speaking Your Truth Is the Most Powerful Tool We Have
Last night, Oprah Winfrey received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards. Her acceptance speech, all aspects of it - the stories she wove, her masterful delivery, the passionate response of the audience - was deeply moving and utterly inspiring.
The moment when she invoked her signature phrase - "what I know for sure" - was, for me, the most powerful moment among many. As a writer, speaking my truth and helping others do the same is what gives the work it's deepest meaning. And of course, Oprah demonstrated how very powerful that idea can be by turning her own truth into a stirring speech, weaving stories and insights together in a way that moved millions, lit up social media and garnered media coverage all over the world.
Michael Shulman's article in The New Yorker was one of my favorites. "Oprah Leads A Decisive Feminist Takeover of the Golden Globes" was his the headline, and he went on to write:
"This year, [Oprah] Winfrey seemed to grab hold of every live wire of rage, sadness, hope, and uncertainty dangling around the room and channel them into a truly breathtaking oration.
"It was a galvanizing and important speech, forward-looking and inclusive: the kind we used to hear from the person running the country. No wonder everyone on Twitter immediately posted 'OPRAH 2020.'"
Yes, wouldn't that be a wonderful turnabout! But really, whether or not Oprah decides to run for president is beside the point.
I believe the response she elicited comes from an overwhelming desire, collectively, for us to elevate the conversations we are having in this country today. We are starved for this - a leader who can speak truth to power, acknowledge the realities of history and past injustices without demonizing the "other" or fear mongering. We want leaders who can paint a vision of the future that lifts us up and moves us, as a nation, in a forward direction that is inclusive and whole.
Where are those leaders? The response to Oprah's speech shows us that they are desperately needed.
You can watch her speech in its entirety above, and read the transcript here.