Jane Fonda Defends ‘Woke’ in Powerful SAG Awards 2025 Speech: ‘Woke Just Means You Give a Damn About Other People'
In her compelling 2025 SAG Awards speech, Jane Fonda explains that ‘woke’ means caring about others, calling on Hollywood to fight for empathy and positive change.
At the recent SAG Awards, Jane Fonda received the prestigious Life Achievement Award, a recognition of her six-decade-long career in Hollywood. Known for her groundbreaking roles in film, television, and theater, Fonda has become a symbol of resilience and commitment to social change. During her acceptance speech, she took the opportunity to address the current state of the entertainment industry and the world at large, urging Hollywood to confront these challenging times with empathy and understanding.
Fonda's message was clear: empathy is the key to navigating a divided world. As an actor, she believes it is the responsibility of those in the arts to foster emotional connections and promote understanding across all boundaries.
Jane Fonda’s powerful speech at the SAG Awards
Jane Fonda made a compelling call for empathy in Hollywood as a way to navigate these turbulent times. During her acceptance of the Life Achievement Award at the SAG Awards, she reminded her audience of the vital role actors play in fostering emotional understanding. “Our job is to understand another human being so profoundly that we can touch their souls”, Fonda said, emphasizing that actors create empathy by immersing themselves deeply in their characters.
Woke is not weak
She also took the opportunity to address misconceptions about empathy, especially when the term is often criticized as being “weak” or “woke.” Fonda made it clear that empathy is not about being overly sensitive, but about caring for others. "By the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people," she pointed out, turning the term on its head to reinforce the importance of kindness and compassion in the face of adversity.
Jane Fonda on her speech:“We must not isolate, we must stay in community, we must help the vulnerable”. Photo: The Independent
Fonda alludes Donald Trump during her speech and calls for unity
In her speech, Fonda touched upon the current political landscape and its challenges, alluding to the Trump administration's decisions to cut federal jobs. “A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening,” she said.
She also encouraged everyone to engage with each other from a place of empathy, stressing that despite differences in political perspectives, it's crucial to approach one another with an open heart. “Even if they’re of a different political persuasion, we need to not judge but listen from our hearts.”