Speaking Truth to Power—Taraji P. Henson's Most Take-No-Prisoners Moments
Actress Taraji P. Henson recently used her celebrity power to call out The New York Post on racial profiling. When it comes to speaking the truth, she is just as fierce and sassy as Cookie Lyon on Empire. Check out Henson's most take-no-prisoners moments when she doesn't hesitate to speak truth to power.
Last month, Henson called the New York Post "heartless" and "cruel" over on social media. She shared a photo of how shooter Kyle Rittenhouse and shooting victim Trayvon Martin were portrayed in the headlines. She argued that Martin did not have "the blood of innocent lives" on his hands.
"Entertainers, we need to boycott publications that continue to criminalize innocent Person of Color after they have been murdered by the law! This is cruel and traumatizing to the loved ones left behind," Henson wrote in the Instagram caption.
Legacies of Terror
About three months ago, the 49-year-old actress spoke about the traumatizing effects of slavery on Instagram. She shared shocking images of enslaved Black women breastfeeding the white children of slave owners. This is a history lesson you will never forget.
"The history of the controlled reproductive capacities of Black and afro descended women is the foundation on which this country is built. The legacies of terror, oppression and gendered dehumanization still impact the ancestors of those who survived the vast grief of enslavement," wrote Henson.
Mental Health
About two years ago, the Empire actress spoke about the launch of her foundation, The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She opened up about her own mental health struggles at the event.
.@TherealTaraji on why she launched foundation, erasing stigma around issues everyone faces: “I’m here to tell you that I speak to a psychiatrist. I’m here to tell you that when they tell cut, cameras go away, I go home to real problems just like everybody else.” pic.twitter.com/ftL9ucYV0H
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 23, 2018
"I'm here to tell you that I speak to a psychiatrist. I'm here to tell you that when they tell cut, cameras go away, I go home to real problems just like everybody else," said Henson.
Love Wins
About three years ago, Henson spoke about social unrest during the Screen Actors Guild Awards. While accepting the award for Hidden Figures, she discussed what people could learn from real-life NASA heroes, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
"Without them we would not know how to reach the stars. These women did not complain about the problems, their circumstances, the issues, we know what was going on in that era, they didn't complain. They focused on solutions. Therefore, these brave women helped put men into space," said Henson.
“We stand here as proud actors." - @TherealTaraji on behalf of the cast of @HiddenFigures pic.twitter.com/7oL24Vpo5V
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 30, 2017
"This story is what happens when we put our differences aside and we come together as a human race," Henson said. "We win. Love wins. Every time."
Devil, You Will Not Win
Four years ago, Henson gave an important message about mental health and empowerment to students, according to USA Today. During a White House screening of Hidden Figures, she offered advice on how to face adversity.
"As humans, everybody's got problems. When you wake up every day, you wake up to obstacles to overcome just in that day. If you don't have the courage to look fear in the eyes and say, 'Devil, you will not win,' what are you going to do?" advised Henson.
Get Out And Vote
About four years, the Person of Interest actress used her platform at the BET Awards to urge people to vote, according to EW.
"I'm really not political, but it's serious out here," she said. "For those who think he's not going to win, think again. We really need to pull together and turn this country around."
