After being raked over the coals on social media for sounding the alarm on alleged maltreatment on the set of “The Color Purple,” alleged “beef” with Oprah and allegedly taking the focus away from positivity of the film, Taraji P. Henson has been named one of TIME Magazine’s Women on the Year.
Suggested Reading
Highlighted for both her longstanding, illustrious career and dedication to calling attention to pertinent issues people need to pay attention to such as mental health and more recently—pay disparities, Henson was bestowed the honor alongside singer and actress Andra Day, tennis star Coco Gauff, Barbie director Greta Gerwig and more.
When reflecting on her recent comments about the pay gap for Black actors and how she’s been sustaining herself in and through Hollywood’s flawed system, Henson shared: “I’m 53, and I’m getting tired. And then the disrespect: if there’s a playground no one wants you to play on, are you going to keep showing up and hurting yourself?”
She later added:
“If we stay talking in small little circles, that’s not going to change anything. But we do have allies out there, which I’ve found out by telling my truth. I’m in a movie about women who don’t have a voice and are trying to find it. So who’s going to stand up for them?”
Given how some folks reacted to her speaking truth to power, seeing her be recognized for an honor like this feels a bit like vindication for all those who tried to say her speaking up would somehow jeopardize her career or get her blackballed in the industry. Like Martin Luther King Jr. said: “the time is always right to do what is right.” And whether you agreed with Henson’s timing or not, she stood on business and stood on her principles. Hopefully her courage and now this honor will send a message to others to never shy away from telling the truth, advocating for yourself, and others.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.