Emmys 2015: Viola Davis Makes History, Thanks Those Who 'Redefine What It Means to Be Black' 

Viola Davis gave a speech ever fitting the monumental occasion, when at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday she became the first African-American to grab gold in the Lead Actress in a Drama category.

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Evoking revered abolitionist/humanitarian Harriet Tubman to start, the

star said, “I see a line. And over that line I see green fields and flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me… but I can’t seem to get there no how.”

Davis went on to say to the crowd, “Let me tell you something — the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.

people — [Disney/ABC Television Group president] Ben Sherwood, [ABC president] Paul Lee, [

creator] Pete Nowalk, [Shondland boss] Shonda Rhimes — people that redefine what it means to be beautiful, sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black,” she continued. Then with a nod to fellow nominees and other peers, she said: “To the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Megan Goods, to Gabrielle Union… thank you for taking us over that line.”

‘s Regina King won for Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, while

‘s Uzo Aduba was named Best Supporting Actress in a Drama.

Backstage after accepting her Emmy, Davis was asked about the recent

controversy stemming from Matt Damon’s attempt to survey racism in Hollywood hiring decisions. “People don’t know how to discuss race,” she said. “People need to understand that there is a line, and there is a difference when it comes to actors of color in this business. If it’s been 67 years since an actress of color has won an Emmy, then there’s certainly a line and it needs to be acknowledged, just like the emperor being naked in the room.”

Viola Davis is one beautiful and class act. I was pulling for her win. I can’t wait for TGIT.

Class act all the way.. That scene with Cicely Tyson alone was enough to win the Emmy this year.. She had the best speech of the night by far, and very fitting for the moment. Congrats Viola

Awesome speech from Viola and a very well deserved win.

Viola is beautiful & regal…whoever has told her otherwise in the past is ridiculous.

Viola didn’t remotely deserve this, she isn’t in the same league as Tatiana Maslany. I usually suspend my disbelief when watching shows so well that I tune out the quality of the acting and don’t pay attention to it. Her show this year was one of the rare exceptions where I barely managed to sit through her overacting (along with other poor performances in the show). I was frankly stunned to realize anyone liked her performance, let alone to see her win an award when all the others deserved it more than she did. Another rare exception was Tatiana Maslany who should have won. Her ability to make you forget the same actress is playing multiple characters and her nuanced performances was remarkable, it is one of the rare cases I’ve ever commented on the quality of anyone’s acting. I can only imagine how badly Viola Davis would do in a similar situation, she simply doesn’t have the same range and polish to pull of subtle touches like playing one character posing as another. I know people’s tastes vary which I guess explains it. Its just like some people prefer speakers that are accurate, others prefer speakers that boost sound in unnatural ways that they happen to like.

I’m not sure if some people are so “tone deaf” that they need to be beaten over the head with “ACTING!” or “DRAMA!” or something for things to sink in and go for the performance of someone like Viola Davis or if there were some “experts” that claim she is a good actress and the clueless all go along, or what explains it.

The tape system is over so people like Tatiana Maslany will never win an Emmy. Now it’s all about who’s the most popular one. Shame because Emmys were the only awards where people watched the nominated work now it’s another popularity contest like SAG and Golden Globes.

I guess there’s too many of her they don’t know who to vote for. :/. She still young, I’m sure more roles will come her way, it may take 20+years, but I’m sure she’ll get what she deserves.

She spoke beautifully looked beautiful and deserved the win! Can’t wait for Thursday!

By far the best speech of the night, possibly the best speech I’ve ever seen at an awards show. Kerry and Taraji’s reactions were also beautiful.

Viola made it all worth waiting after such a boring night for me. What a beautiful and meaning speech specially in these dark days were living in.

Viola is spectacular! Such a deserving win. And that speech was so moving, intelligent, and important. One of the best–if not the best–speeches of the entire night! Not that I would expect any different; all of her acceptance speeches in the past have always been the highlights.

The speech was spot on and I am happy for her win, but I really thought Tatiana Maslany should have won.

She definitely deserved it, but comparing herself or her Hollywood “struggle” to Harriet Tubman was ridiculous to say the least.

I almost cried when Taraji ran up to give Viola a hug. Kerry Washington’s reaction nearly got me as well. I know a lot of people on Tumblr are upset that Tatiana Maslany lost, but Viola really did deserve this award.

Viola Davis is amazing. I’m definitely happy for her win. I really hope Tatiana Maslany gets it next year. The fact that she was even nominated has been a feat in of itself. Also someone at Fox needs to be fired. Why does it take an actress from a competing network to basically backdoor promote (via Nicole Beharie shoutout) one of Fox’s own shows when they had 3 hours to do so in the broadcast?!

I do like Viola but I get irritated when she says women of color constantly only to mean black actresses. What? Other minority groups don’t qualify as women of color? They also have their struggles and no Hispanic or Asian women has won the lead either.

Not for nothing but I don’t see many Hispanic or Asian woman who consider themselves woman of color unless there’s a movie or tv role involved. I’ve worked with numerous women of different ethnicity’s throughout my career and believe me they’d rather be known as Latina and Asian because they feel they’re more accepted by the white race. This comment may not be popular with some, but this is my experience, not yours.

Any Emmy voter who voted for Viola Davis over Tatiana Maslany obviously did not actually watch Orphan Black. As soon as the word ‘viola’ came out of the presenters mouth, I turned off the TV. Unfortunately, any amazing performance with any sort of sci-fi element will get discounted. That’s why John Noble did not even receive a nomination for “Fringe”.

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