Oscars 2021: Tyler Perry's Speech On Refusing Hate

Popular Hollywood actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry gave a powerful speech at the 2021 Oscars on Sunday, urging everyone to "refuse hate".

Perry was honoured with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the event, and in his acceptance speech, he reflected on his poor beginnings when he used to live in his car, insisting that he wanted to continue helping others.

"When I set out to help someone, I'm not trying to do anything other than meet somebody at their humanity", he said at the virtual ceremony.

READ ALSO: Oscars 2021: Full List Of Winners

Tyler Perry with his award/Image Source: Variety

Tyler Perry remembered how about 17 years ago, he was "stopped cold" when he was asked by a homeless woman if he had any extra shoes he could help her with.

"It stopped me cold because I remember being homeless, and I had one pair of shoes. They were bent over at the heels. So, I was like, 'Yeah'".

He revealed that he took the woman to the film's wardrobe apartment and she was overwhelmed.

READ ALSO: Oscars 2021: See The Presenters Of This Year's Edition

"The whole time, she's finally looking down. She finally looks up and she has tears in her eyes. She said, 'Thank you, Jesus. My feet are off the ground.'

"In that moment, I just recall her saying to me, 'I thought you would hate me for asking.' I go, 'How can I hate you when I used to be you?'

"'How can I hate you when I used had a mother who grew up in the Jim Crow south in Louisiana?'"

Perry then talked about the difficult life his mother had and how she raised him to "refuse hate and blanket judgment."

"In this time, with all the internet and social media and algorithms that want us to think a certain way. The 24-hour news cycle. It's my hope that we teach our kids to refuse hate. Don't hate anybody."

The filmmaker then dedicated his award to everyone who would join him in "refusing hate".

"I refuse to hate someone because they're Mexican or because they are black or white. Or LGBTQ. I refuse to hate someone because they are a police officer or because they are Asian. I would hope we would refuse hit hate.

"And I want to take this humanitarian award and dedicate it to anyone who wants to stand in the middle. Because that's where healing, where conversation, where change happens.

"It happens in the middle. Anyone who wants to meet me in the middle to refuse hate and blanket judgment, this one is for you too."