"I Totally Deserve This": Shonda Rhimes' PGA Acceptance Speech is #Goals

by @sofia_maame

“I’m going to be totally honest with you, I completely deserve this.” Those were Shonda Rhimes’s opening words at the Annual Producers Guild Awards. Shonda was presented the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television by Viola Davis, lead actress in Shonda’s newest alluring show “How To Get Away With Murder”. At the risk of anyone praising her for receiving the award on the grounds of diversity, Shonda had this to say during her speech, “It’s not trailblazing to write the world as it actually is,” she said. “Women are smart and strong. They are not sex toys or damsels in distress. People of color are not sassy or dangerous or wise. And, believe me, people of color are never anybody’s sidekick in real life .”

In the only way she knows how, Shonda was unapologetic about receiving recognition for her vision and work on shows like Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy. Both have reshaped the roles of actresses and brought crafted reality to millions of television screens. It’s safe to assume that Shonda’s goal is to write about the world around her, as opposed to creating characters that support or diminish stereotypes. Her method to tell it like it is, is exactly why so many people have indulged themselves in her storylines by identifying with the complex characters she creates. Shonda knows she deserves to be recognized by the Producers Guild and any other television awards ceremony because she isn’t afraid to create stories that transcend what black women are “suppose” to tell. If the standard for awarding producer-writers is merited on the basis of societal introspection, then we’ll have to agree Shonda has gotten what she deserves.

Shonda Rhimes Talks Diversity
"I totally deserve this" - watch Shonda Rhimes powerful PGA speech!
Posted by ET Canada on Monday, January 25, 2016

Photo: WireImage/Mark Davis