Taraji P. Henson Urges Everyone To Stand Up For Themselves And Speak Their Truths; Says “The Truth Will Set You Free”

Cousins! Taraji P. Henson accepted an Naacp Image Award this year for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, for her role in The Color Purple as Shug Avery!

As she thanked fans and others who have supported her comments regarding unequal pay disparities in Hollywood, Taraji also urged everyone to stand up for themselves and their truths.

“This is a surprise. I’m grateful. I just want to thank you all so much for showing up for me so much all the time. You showed up and showed out for me in a big way,” said Taraji.

“It’s a scary thing to speak your truth, and I urge you all to speak your truth because it’s all we have. But you know what they say, ‘The truth shall set you free.’” 

She also went on to thank the entire Color Purple cast and crew, as well as Oprah Winfrey.

As we previously reported during The Color Purple’s official press run, Taraji spoke on her experiences of unequal pay as a Black actress in Hollywood and how it had her leaning towards exiting from the entertainment business.

“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” said the 53 year old.

“I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ Well, I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. When you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”

Taraji adds, “When you hear someone go, ‘Such and such made $10 million’—that didn’t make it to their account. Off the top, ‘Uncle Sam’ is getting 50 percent. Now you have $5 million. Your team is getting 30 percent off what you gross, not after what ‘Uncle Sam’ took. Now do the math.”

Earlier that evening Queen Latifah took a moment to reflect on Taraji’s advocacy for Black women in Hollywood as she urged Black men to also take a stance with their sisters in constant fight for equal pay.

Cousins bebsure to check the official list of this year’s Naacp Image Award’s winners.