During the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the hit Netflix sci-fi drama Stranger Things took home the award for best ensemble in a drama series. Accepting the award was David Harbour who plays Sheriff Jim Hopper on the show.
Standing with his fellow cast members, which included actress Winona Ryder (who did a fantastic job on the show), Harbour delivered an unexpected and powerful speech which brought the room of actors to their feet while delivering a thunderous applause.
Here’s the text of his full speech.
“In light of all that is going on in the world today, it is difficult to celebrate the already-celebrated Stranger Things. But this award from you, who take your craft seriously and earnestly believe — like me — that great acting can change the world, is a call to arms from our fellow craftsmen and -women to go deeper and through our art, to battle against fear, self-centeredness, and the exclusivity of a predominantly narcissistic culture and through our craft to cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society by revealing intimate truths that serve as a forceful reminder to folks that when they feel broken and afraid and tired, they are not alone.
We are united in that we are all human beings and we are all together on this horrible, painful, joyous, exciting, and mysterious ride that is being alive. Now, as we act in the continuing narrative of Stranger Things , we 1983 Midwesterners will repel bullies. We will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no home.
We will get past the lies. We will hunt monsters. And when we are at a loss amidst the hypocrisy and casual violence of certain individuals and institutions, we will, as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy what we have envisioned for ourselves and the marginalized. And we will do it all with soul, with heart, and with joy. We thank you for this responsibility!”
On top of his passionate delivery, Harbour had help from a very expressive Rider whose face seemed to go on a pantomime-like journey of emotions during his speech.
President Trump was never mentioned specifically during Harbour’s speech, nor was it necessary for him to do so. Trump’s words and actions since becoming president make it clear that he and his administration represents the “monsters” and “bullies” that Harbour was referencing. And the “freaks and outcasts” represent all those who feel marginalized by Trump’s policies and the culture of hate that fuel them.
Harbour’s speech represents one of the best things to emerge from the 2016 election. It accounts for a sense of duty and compassion to all human beings facing injustice and hardship because of the ambitions of rich, rotten, and power hungry bastards like Trump who scapegoat them for the sake of cheap populist fame and glory. His speech reminds us that we all still have a solid moral compass that will guide us through this four-year dark storm and that we must be willing to stay the course and fight for what we know to be right.
It won’t be surprising if the snowflake-in-chief and his followers go after him for telling the truth.
Hopefully, American entertainers and celebrities won’t mistake the results of the 2016 election as repudiation from the American people. Because it’s important, now more than ever, for people with a platform to speak out for those whose voice have been muted by “monsters” and “bullies.”
If you’ve not seen Stranger Things, it’s worth checking out. The story is interesting, and the performances are mesmerizing. The show is a great temporary break from the hard work all Americans have ahead of us for the next four years.
Featured image screen grab via YouTube
