Tyler Perry Asks the World to ‘Refuse Hate’ and ‘Meet Me in the Middle’ During Oscar Acceptance Speech
As Tyler Perry accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award during the 93rd Academy Awards, Perry urged audiences to “refuse hate” during a passionate moment in his acceptance speech. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) awarded the writer/director/actor/producer the honorary Oscar for his commitment to helping and inspiring others.
In his speech, Perry reflected on his humble upbringing and the lessons he learned from his mother. Perry’s mother, raised in the Jim Crow south, grew up grieving the 1955 murder of Emmett Till, instilled a life lesson into her son. “She taught me to refuse hate and blanket judgment,” Perry stated.
During an emotional part of his acceptance speech, Perry rebuked hatred based on race, sexuality, gender identity, or career choice. By reaching out to these groups, Perry was clear in his feelings towards blanket hatred.
“I refuse to hate someone because they’re Mexican or because they are black or white or LGBTQ,” Perry mentioned. “I refuse to hate someone because they’re a police officer or because they’re Asian.”
Oh my goodness. I’ve admired this man from the very beginning. Now I will admire him from “the middle”. What a blessing. 🙏💜 @tylerperry #humanitarianaward #RefuseHate
— Anna C. Finder (@anna_finder) April 26, 2021
Perry went on to ask audiences to come together to enact change. By choosing to meet each other in the middle of conversations, Perry believes that society to begin to move forward.
“I would hope that we would refuse hate and I want to take this Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and dedicate it to anyone who wants to stand in the middle, no matter what’s around the wall,” Perry said. “Stand in the middle ’cause that’s where healing happens. That’s where conversation happens. That’s where change happens. It happens in the middle.”
Superb speech from Tyler Perry #Oscars2021 #RefuseHate
— Emma Fisher 🇪🇺🏴🏳️🌈🏳️🖤❤🧡💛💚💙 (@fisemganbo) April 26, 2021
Fans can relive the 93rd Academy Awards, including Perry’s powerful and moving speech, on Hulu as part of its Oscar page. The page includes Oscar extras like ‘Oscars Countdown, LIVE!,’ ‘Oscars: Into the Spotlight,’ and ‘Oscars: After Dark.’
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