At the 2018 Golden Globes which occurred January 7, many stars wore all black in support of the #MeToo movement and some wore pins supporting Time’s Up, a movement created by women in the entertainment industry to combat abuse and harassment.

The prominence of people wearing all black at the Golden Globes ultimately lead to the question of “Why are you wearing this?” instead of the typical “Who are you wearing?” Some of the actors wearing black included Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek, Ashley Judd, and Meryl Streep. Links to the photos can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/07/movies/golden-globes.html

At the Golden Globes, numerous celebrities used their fame to bring awareness to both movements and to the issue of sexism in the entertainment industry and in society. Some Golden Globes attendees also brought activists as their dates, such as Meryl Streep and her date Ai-Jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Michelle Williams brought founder of the #MeToo movement Tarana Burke; Amy Poehler brought Saru Jayaraman, an attorney for restaurant workers; and Emma Watson brought Marai Larasi, executive director of the black feminist organization Imkaan.

Along with dress and dates, celebrities used their acceptance speeches and stage time during the Golden Globes to bring attention to the issue of sexual harassment and inequality. During her acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award, Oprah Winfrey said “When that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men.”

Natalie Portman addressed sexism in the entertainment industry more subtly as she went to present an award, announcing, “And here are the all-male nominees.” Likewise, Barbra Streisand commented on how she was the last woman to win best director – 34 years ago. Winfrey, Portman, and Streisand all shifted the attention from themselves or the awards at hand to the movements being represented: Time’s Up and #MeToo.

The prominence of black attire, activism, and addressal of sexism at the Golden Globes should serve as a picture of the future of the entertainment industry, and society as a whole. As Winfrey said in her speech, “A new day is on the horizon!”