While the Oscars are headed into their show in a few weeks wrapped in the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, the Screen Actors Guild showed how easy it was to embrace diversity. Last night, they handed out their annual awards, and in addition to being a good crystal ball look at how things might shake out at the Oscars, the prizes honored a wide spectrum of talent. And that spirit was reflected in the acceptance speeches.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to diverse TV," said Idris Elba (who won two awards last night, for his work in "Luther" and "Beasts Of No Nation"), when he hit the stage a third time as a presenter.
Meanwhile, Laura Prepon pointed to her castmates for "Orange Is The New Black" (which won the TV Comedy Ensemble award) and said, "Look at this stage. This is what we talk about when we talk about diversity."
It was "Bessie" winner Queen Latifah who perhaps gave the most impassioned speech, saying, "I hope that anyone out there who does not come in the package that people say you should, keep fighting for it. Flip those rocks over. Keep pushing, keep turning, you can do it. You build your own boxes, not people. So knock that thing away and do you!"
Check out all the speeches below and click here for the list of winners.