Shonda Rhimes Accepts PGA Award, And Has No Shame In Saying ‘I Deserve This’

At this year’s Producer’s Guild Awards,Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy_ creator Shonda Rhimes was given the honor of the Norman Lear Award for Achievement in Television. However, that wasn't what has people talking. Rhymes gave an impressive acceptance speech that addressed many of the concerns critics have for what they observe as a lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations. Fans felt it was quite refreshing, then, to have Rhimes be so honest and real about the struggles faced by not just a woman, but a woman of color in Hollywood. The industry has a reputation for being insular, and therefore, many find it to be difficult to claim well-deserved recognition.

“I’m going to be totally honest with you, I completely deserve this,” Rhimes said, accepting the award. “I have against the odds, courageously pioneered the art of writing for people of color as if they were human beings. I’ve bravely gone around just casting parts for actors who were the best ones. I fearlessly faced down ABC when they completely agreed with me that Olivia Pope should be black. And I raised my sword heroically and then put it down again when Paul Lee never fought me about any of my storytelling choices.”

Shonda Rhimes Accepts PGA Award, And Has No Shame In Saying ‘I Deserve This’

Creator Of Hits Like "Scandal," Rhimes Is Well Respected.

Going on, she laid out the facts as she sees them. “It’s not trailblazing to write the world as it actually is. Women are smart and strong. They are not sex toys or damsels in distress. People of color are not sassy or dangerous or wise. And, believe me, people of color are never anybody’s sidekick in real life.”

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