As a fervent admirer of the artistry and activism that graces our screens today, I can’t help but be moved by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai‘s powerful stand at this year’s Emmys. His symbolic red handprint over his mouth is not just a statement; it’s a rallying cry for justice that echoes through the generations of Indigenous women who have been silenced.
On Sunday, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai made a strong, symbolic statement as he walked the red carpet for the 2024 Emmy Awards.
In a show of support for the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, the lead actor from Reservation Dogs made a red handprint on his mouth. This act symbolizes the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement, which represents “the unheard voices of the countless sisters who are missing” and “the media and law enforcement’s silence in the face of this ongoing crisis.” (paraphrased by me)
#ReservationDogs’ D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai hits the 76th #Emmys red carpet
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 15, 2024
Woon-A-Tai has consistently advocated for amplifying Native American narratives within the film industry, as demonstrated by the show “Reservation Dogs,” which concluded its run on FX and Hulu earlier in 2023.
This year, the actor received his initial Emmy nod for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series due to his performance in “Reservation Dogs“. Remarkably, the series itself was acknowledged with a nomination for the best comedy series category as well.
Previously, Woon-A-Tai revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he felt a strong affinity for his character, Bear Smallhill, during their initial meeting for the role, long before he had a chance to go through the entire script.
In the room where the scripts were created, everyone was Indigenous, and they had a clear intention to share their unique experiences. By sharing their own tales, they also managed to represent many other Native children, including myself. Immediately upon meeting Bear, I identified with him, and I see numerous parallels between my life, that of my relatives like cousins and nephews, and his. There are certainly plenty of Bears in our world, especially within what we call Indigenous communities. Similarly, you can find Willie Jacks or Elora Danans everywhere, just as there are countless Cheeses.
On Sunday evening, the 2024 Emmy Awards, jointly hosted by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, took place at the Peacock Theater within L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles. For a comprehensive list of winners, click here. To see all the celebrities’ dazzling red carpet appearances, follow this link.
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2024-09-16 03:24