Viola Davis' Emmy win is Redefining what it means to be a Black Woman

Once a line has been crossed, there is no turning back. As Viola gave homage to Harriet Tubman (whom she will be playing in an upcoming HBO film), she also gave credit to the many young black actresses that are "redefining what it means to be black." Angelic with her natural crown, she too became a history maker as the first African American to win the lead in a dramatic series on television. The look of utter amazement on Taraji P. Henson and Kerri Washington's faces reflected the great importance at that moment. Viola wasn't cast as what America considered to be a black role but introduced the world to the true representation of black life.

See, we are also a field of beautiful black men and women. We are not just a linear line of culture the begins with slavery and ends with weeping parents who lose their children to street life. All of our children are not heathens, all of our men are not drug dealers, and all of our women are not neck rolling bitches. Her Emmy win announced to the world that black women can be whatever they choose to be. That we need more writers to create and reflect the plethora of diversity in black life. That these stories are worth being heard and can be just as entertaining to watch as the portrayals of white life that we see every time we turn on the TV. We are no longer the token black person to suffice for equality, we are leading ladies!

As Uzo Aduba accepted her second Emmy for the best-supporting actress on a dramatic television series, Ms. "Crazy Eyes" gave the world a glimpse of humility. Nominated twice and accepting an Emmy twice is a vision realized. She honored her sister who sat in the crowd with tears in her eyes. That same look of pride and bewilderment in her eyes as Taraji and Kerri. That goes to show that you do not have to be an actress or a writer to cross that line. It is imaginary and only real to those who deny the truth. We obliterate that line every morning we wake up and get dressed for work. Every time we pick up a book to receive our diplomas. Every time we love our children and guide them down the right path. Every time we fall to our knees and worship our Father who was once off limits to us. We don't take those steps alone; there are millions of women who define what black is just by being themselves.

That Emmy was not just for Viola, it was for you too. For every tear you cried, for every time you felt inferior, for every time you felt you had to be colored within the lines!