Jane Fonda Defends Woke Culture at SAG Awards, Sparking Praise from ‘The View’ Co-Hosts

Jane Fonda Defends Woke Culture at SAG Awards, Sparking Praise from ‘The View’ Co-Hosts

During the latest episode of ‘The View,’ co-hosts celebrated actress Jane Fonda for her passionate speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Fonda’s remarks centered around the concept of being woke, which she defined as a term associated with empathy towards others. Her address not only resonated with the audience but also ignited discussions about the meaning of wokeness in contemporary society.

A Call to Action for Older Generations

Ana Navarro, co-host of the show, expressed her admiration for Fonda, emphasizing the importance of activism at any age. Navarro highlighted how Fonda’s presence serves as a reminder that age should not deter individuals from fighting for their beliefs. She stated, “It also gave me inspiration because, you know, there’s a lot of people that are older that have marched, that have protested in the past that are now saying, you know, we’re tired. It’s time that the young people do it, and Jane Fonda just reminded us that you are never too old, that you are never too successful.”

The Cost of Standing Up for Beliefs

Navarro continued to praise Fonda for her steadfastness in the face of adversity. She acknowledged that Fonda has occasionally faced criticism throughout her career for expressing her opinions. “This is a woman who has been protesting and standing up for her beliefs. Sometimes I’ve disagreed with her, and it has cost her at times. It has had great costs at her career, and you do not give up on America. You don’t turn your back on America. When America needs us to stand up, speak up, and show up, we have to continue doing it,” Navarro shared.

Empathy and the Misinterpretation of Woke

Fonda’s defense of being woke resonated amidst the ongoing debate surrounding the term. During her speech, she asserted, “Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke. By the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.” This statement aligns with the original intentions behind the term, which has often been misconstrued and politicized. Co-host Sunny Hostin weighed in, noting that the right has attempted to reframe the meaning of wokeness, particularly in the context of social justice.

Hostin remarked, “In the African-American community, the term meant acknowledging social justice inequities, acknowledging people’s suffering.” This illustrates the importance of contextualizing language, especially in a charged political landscape.

Exploring the Deeper Meaning of Wokeness

Hostin expressed her frustration regarding the dismissal of wokeness, connecting it to a broader lack of awareness about systemic oppression. “I was always a part of it, and so I’ve never been asleep, and so it angers me when people are, like, this woke stuff’s got to go. That tells me that you don’t care about my lived experience. You don’t care about the oppression of the LGBTQ community. You don’t care about the oppression of the disabled. You don’t care about the oppression of immigrants. You don’t care about your fellow neighbor, and that is ungodly. That is not Christian,” Hostin stated.

The Paradox of Wokeness and Religion

Navarro concurred, adding her own commentary on the perceived hypocrisy surrounding expressions of faith in relation to societal issues. She asserted, “They don’t care about it while wearing big, fat crosses around their necks.” This remark underscores a prevalent critique that some individuals espouse religious beliefs while neglecting the very principles those beliefs advocate.

Change Requires Uncomfortable Conversations

Whoopi Goldberg joined the conversation by emphasizing the historical significance of wokeness in catalyzing change. Reflecting on the past, she pointed out that profound transformations often emerge from challenging the status quo. “There have not been changes made in this country that were made without people being woke. We had to wake up and see that there’s nothing wrong with who you want to love as long as you keep me in mind when I say this is who I love,” Goldberg explained.

She argued that discomfort often accompanies progress, saying, “All of these things were challenged by people who said, oh, maybe they didn’t say you’re too woke, but they used whatever the hip word of the time was. This has always been, it will always be. This is what change does, and it makes people uncomfortable. It scares people. It makes people think that they are losing their place. You’re not losing your place.”

The Theme of Empathy

Bringing the discussion back to empathy, Hostin connected the notion to the broader societal shifts occurring today. “Equality can feel like oppression to those that have always been at the top of the ladder,” she added, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in conversations about race, gender, and equality.

Fonda’s acceptance of the Life Achievement Award at the SAG Awards provided the context for her compelling remarks. She concluded her speech by stressing the importance of empathy, stating, “Back to empathy, a whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way. And even if they’re of a different political persuasion, we need to call upon our empathy and not judge but listen from our hearts and welcome them into our tent because we are going to need a big tent to resist successfully what’s coming at us.”

Embracing Compassion in Challenging Times

This stirring message challenges audiences to adopt a more compassionate outlook, fostering unity in divisive times. Fonda’s advocacy for empathy encourages individuals to bridge gaps, cultivate understanding, and embrace the diversity of human experiences.