Analyzing Oprah Winfrey's Golden Globe Speech

In the current sociopolitical climate, recent public accounts of sexual harassment, inequitable race and gender representation in Hollywood, and fake news propagated by corrupt press continually amasses a myriad of complex scandals. During Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globe speech, she vehemently asserts her position on these matters and calls for the continued vigilance to directly address and resolve these issues. Oprah Winfrey employs inclusive pronouns, historical allusions, and emotionally charged diction to argue for equitable race and gender representation in Hollywood, the fundamental need for a free press, and the importance of speaking out against harassment and assault in her Golden Globe speech. Inequitable race and gender representation is frequently reported by the media, particularly in Hollywood roles and awards; Winfrey relays a historical allusion to Sidney Poitier’s pivotal Golden Globe award as the first

Similarly, Winfrey utilizes these techniques to address recent allegations expressed by famous individuals concerning harassment and assault with inclusive pronouns and emotionally charged diction in the historical allusion to Recy Taylor. Her addition of descriptive language to describe Recy Taylor’s rape mirrors the strong emotional response established during the anecdotal narration which paired with her directly addressing the audience, not only her female audience but her male audience with inclusive pronouns, effectively unifies her audience in a typically female oriented drive for societal reform concerning sexual assault. This unity engenders a call to arms to Winfrey’s expansive