Whoopi Goldberg Weighs In On Viola Davis’ Emmy Speech: ‘I’m Not Sure What It Means’

Actress Viola Davis impressed many fans and celebrities with her impassioned speech during last month’s Emmy Awards where she won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. However, comedienne Whoopi Goldberg revealed that she was confused over the actress’ Emmy speech.

In an interview with BET.com, “The View” co-host said that she’s “not sure” what Davis meant when the actress said "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity," People magazine reported. Goldberg stated, “Well, I'm not sure what it means. Opportunity to do what?"

"The truth of the matter is there's been plenty of opportunity,” she continued. “I mean, Scandal. Let's just start with that. Kerry Washington is there and she's working her booty off, okay? But they didn't vote for her.”

Goldberg added that maybe the right question to ask was “What do you have to do to get voted on?” She went on to mention that Davis saying the opportunity is not there is inaccurate, given that “[they’ve] had lots of opportunities.”

In her BET.com interview, Goldberg also mentioned how other women will be given “more parts, more drama” projects after Viola’s historic Emmy win. "If you don't get the pat on the back that says, 'Yes it's okay to hire these women'," she said. "See now there will be more parts, more dramas, because Viola won the Emmy award. So they'll hire more black women."

The “How to Get Away with Murder” star was the first African-American woman to land the Emmy award for outstanding lead actress in a drama, ABC reported. Davis was emotional during her speech and even quoted a famous line from Harriet Tubman. She went on to say that one “cannot win Emmys with roles that are simply not there.”

The Emmy winner also thanked other actresses of color during her speech, stating, “Thank you for taking us over that line.”