As Morgan Freeman accepted his Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday, he had a few words for the organization’s board of directors.
Freeman, who was celebrating 54 years in the industry, called out the SAG “Outstanding Performance” trophy for looking like a male figure.
“I’m gonna tell you what’s wrong with this statue,” Freeman said. “It works from the back. From the front, it’s gender-specific.”
Change starts NOW. Equality for all #sagawards pic.twitter.com/aqE6gt86c2
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 22, 2018
Freeman raises an interesting point. Out of the 15 “Outstanding Performance” awards given out annually, only five go specifically to men. And after a year like this one—where the night was hosted by women and series with largely female casts won big—it’s perfectly reasonable to wonder why the trophy is only representative of one gender.
Viewers of the SAG Awards expressed agreement with Freeman on Twitter.
Morgan Freeman calls out #SAGAwards statue for being "gender-specific" from the front. pic.twitter.com/gVAKWylRnK
— Jillian Sederholm (@JillianSed) January 22, 2018
When Morgan Freeman is out here dropping knowledge bombs that even award show statues are sexist #SAGAwards pic.twitter.com/Cqxpv5RU7R
— Xavier Harding (@iamxavier) January 22, 2018
So much to be learned from this brief moment from Morgan Freeman. Having a voice isn't about how loud you speak. Advocating but with grace, dignity and respect not only for himself but for ppl in the room and the organization giving him the award. (Entire speech was enjoyable.) https://t.co/QgsfHGlIVd
— Cindy KerberSpellman (@kerberpr) January 22, 2018
Thank you #MorganFreeman for "starting something" #Maestro 👏🏻👏🏿👏🏾👏🏼 #SAGAwards #KM😈 https://t.co/lWtXfKZI9M
— Fernanda Kelly (@FernandaKellyyy) January 22, 2018
“Perhaps I’ve started something,” Freeman said, after making his comments.
We hope you have, Freeman.