At the recent Screen Actors Guild Awards, Jane Fonda’s acceptance of the prestigious Life Achievement Award was met with enthusiastic applause, a testament to her indelible impact on both film and social causes. At the age of 87, Fonda appears as vibrant and assertive as ever. Her opening comments captured this energy perfectly: “Your enthusiasm makes this seem less like a twilight of my life and more like a, ‘Go girl, kick ass!’” This declaration sets the tone for a speech filled with reflection, humor, and a powerful rallying cry for empathy in an increasingly fractured world.
Fonda’s journey is emblematic of resilience in the arts. After a hiatus, she revived her career at 65, successfully starring in films that resonate deeply with audiences. “I made one of my most successful movies in my 80s,” she quipped, illustrating not just a refusal to conform to age stereotypes but an embrace of opportunities, even into the later stages of her life. This self-identification as a “late bloomer” reminds us all of the inherent value in patience and timing, emphasizing the notion that one’s contributions and successes can continue to flourish even when society might suggest otherwise.
In her acceptance speech, Fonda turned her attention to the collective impact actors have on society, framing their role as essential for fostering empathy. Returning to her roots, she remarked, “For a woman like me, who grew up in the ’40s and ’50s, when women weren’t supposed to have opinions and get angry, acting gave me a chance to play angry women with opinions.” Her acknowledgment of how acting has given her not only a voice but a platform to challenge societal norms speaks volumes about the arts’ power to influence change.
Furthermore, she inspired her fellow performers to recognize that, despite the multifaceted challenges facing workers, particularly in the arts, the act of storytelling is an essential conduit through which understanding and compassion can flow. “What we create is empathy,” she asserted. She reinforced the idea that actors must delve into the human experience’s complexities, bridging gaps in understanding through their portrayals. This insistence on empathy underscores how vital it is for art to reflect and address societal issues.
In a pointed critique of the current cultural landscape, Fonda addressed the misappropriation of the word “woke.” By framing empathy as a strength rather than a weakness, she fiercely countered the narrative often attached to social justice movements. “Empathy is not weak or ‘woke,’” she declared, revealing the underlying tension within the discourse surrounding advocacy and activism. Her remarks serve as a clarion call for refocusing our understanding of social consciousness as a moral imperative rather than a derogatory label.
Reflecting on the current zeitgeist, Fonda emphasized that the United States is at a critical juncture—an idea she called our “documentary moment.” She urged her audience to recognize the gravity of contemporary issues and take meaningful action. “This is it, and it’s not a rehearsal,” she insisted. Her rhetoric urges us all to acknowledge the seriousness of our time, compelling us to engage with each other and to foster a community connected by shared values and concerns.
In closing, Fonda appealed for unity and collective action, stating that helping the vulnerable and creating an inspiring vision for the future is imperative now more than ever. With a nod to literary influences, she quoted Pearl Cleage, emphasizing the beauty and love that can persist even in challenging times. This message is one of hope and resilience, urging individuals to forge connections and advocate for a society where love transcends adversity.
Jane Fonda’s acceptance of the Life Achievement Award not only celebrates her remarkable career but also serves as a reminder of the artist’s role in society. Her impassioned words remind us that empathy is vital in times of strife— a sentiment that resonates deeply in today’s world. The call to action she issued echoes beyond the stage of the SAG Awards, inviting us all to join her in crafting a collective future filled with understanding and compassion.