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Here's why people want Oprah to run for president in 2020

After the Golden Globes Sunday night, everyone was talking about one wonderful woman: Oprah Winfrey.

That night, she became the first black woman to win the Cecil B. DeMille award, an honorary Golden Globe Award given for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. In her acceptance speech, Oprah thanked all the women who are speaking up about sexual assault and abuse in the entertainment industry. But, as we noted, movements like #TimesUp (which garnered visbility at the Globes) are bigger than just the entertainment industry. Oprah also noted that, and thanked the victims who are speaking up who *don't* have the privilege of a platform such as a Hollywood award show—and even those who can't share their stories at all. Because for every woman who has come forward in the #MeToo movement, there are still so many more who aren’t able to do so just because of their life circumstances. 

“I want tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue,” she said. In a way, her speech was a platform for women just like her mother to be heard.

Overall, Oprah sent a message of hope for a future where people not only aren’t afraid to speak up, but a future where they don’t even have to. Her last passage had everyone in the audience—and on social media—on their feet and applauding. It's what made many raise a brow and think, "Hmm, Oprah 2020?"

“So I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say 'Me too' again."

Oprah's speech reminded many of Barack Obama's keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, which turned heads and put him into the spotlight as a potential candidate for president. She's no stranger to politics either. Not only was Obama was the first presidential candidate she endorsed publicly, she followed him on his campaign trail and spoke with him in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, proving, as CNN put it, that she has broad appeal to Democratic voters.

Given her previous role in the Obama campaign and commitment to creating change, is she really a serious candidate for 2020? Her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, had this to say to the Los Angeles Times. "It's up to the people. She would absolutely do it." On the other hand, Gayle King, her best friend, has also said, Oprah is "intrigued" by the idea of running for pres but not "considering it." 

Either way, we can't help but imagine what America would be like under Oprah's reign. 

You can watch Oprah's full speech below.

What do you think? Oprah 2020? Share your thoughts in the comments.

by Kira Barrett and Sydney Adamson | 1/9/2018
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