Michaela Coel, the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series

Only a few hours ago history was made at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards when London born actress, screenwriter, producer and director Michaela Coel won her first Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series. She received this award for her renowned television series ‘I May Destroy You‘ that explores the complexity and impact that sexual assault has on individuals, not simply drawing a clear line between consent and abuse but rather how in this day and age it is complicated and can come in many different forms. However, it was not this brave display of sexual abuse in the modern day and the support it has received which many are talking about, it’s the it is the colour of her skin and the gender she identifies with. She is the first black woman to receive this accolade.

In the past eighteen months the world has met a sudden awakening, whether it be the sudden realisation of germs in every crevice or the systematic racial abuse that we (the white community) have been sitting on. Racism as we have realised, is more than abuse, it’s being silent when we should speak out. Today this realisation was displayed. A woman who is unapologetically black won an Emmy in one of the hardest categories to win. She was up against some incredible writers such as Scott Frank for the ‘Queens Gambit’, Brad Ingelsby for ‘Mare of Eastown’ and four of the writers for three different episodes of ‘WandaVision’. All these shows have been greatly loved by the public with the Queens Gambit encouraging many to take up chess and WandaVision completely changing the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

However, none of these could out do the bravery and strength that Michaela portrayed in her hit television series. I think the importance that comes from this that many have failed to notice is that she spoke up, and highlighted the true topic and debate of sexual assault. She went against the grain and talked about something many either avoid or fail to discuss. This kind of confidence and boldness from a black woman has been criticised and deemed ‘too loud’ or ‘making a fuss’ in the past, but today that was not what happened. Today it was highlighted that things might be on the way to changing. Today the ATAS (Academy of Television Arts and Science) listened and supported her bravery.

Those who win the Emmys are decided by the members of the ATAS which like with many award shows are not proportional to the rest of the world, with women and people of colour tending to be snubbed. Whether it be an all-male director category at the Oscars or no black actors being nominated, the clear bias towards the white man is prevalent. However, last night that was not the case. Michaela proudly said when receiving her award, “writers, write what scares you”, she did just that and people listened which years before would have not been the case. Today a black woman was awarded for being bold, a contrast to what history has taught us.