Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) brought some political activism to the MTV Movie & TV Awards Sunday night while presenting the “Best Fight Against the System” award for social activism.
Waters received a standing ovation from the audience inside the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
The liberal lawmaker was accompanied onstage by Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross, who showered praise on Waters.
“Thank you, for your work. Thank you, for you voice and how you use it. And thank you, for being an extraordinary example for all of us — especially in these times,” Ross said to Waters.
“Artists, actors, singers and citizens have a unique opportunity — the ability to speak out and inspire change,” Waters said in introducing the award. “Each of these stories pushes back against the bullies and uses its platform to unite us all.”
Actress Taraji P. Henson then accepted the award on behalf of the winning film, Hidden Figures.
MTV launched an initiative on its website and used Sunday’s ceremony to celebrate “characters fighting back against systems that hold them down.”
“But the fight against the system doesn’t just exist in movie theaters and on tv screens,” the Viacom-owned network explains. “Across the country, people like you are fighting for the rights of lgbtq folks, immigrants, muslims, people of color and many others.”
Activists are encouraged to take part in protests and support various political causes, including immigration, racial justice, feminism, climate justice, LGBTQ justice, Muslim rights, and can also learn more about “how to resist.”
The films Get Out and Loving and the television shows Luke Cage and Mr. Robot were also nominated for the “Best Fight Against the System” award.
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter @jeromeehudson
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