Tyler Perry urges people to 'refuse hate' in an powerful acceptance speech for the Oscars' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
Tyler Perry told audiences to 'refuse hate' while being awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award on Sunday night at the 93rd annual Academy Awards.
The filmmaker, 51, was emotional as he accepted the honor from Atlanta, Georgia, where he reflected on how he learned the power of compassion from his mother, who rejected resentment even as she grew up in the segregated South.
'She taught me to refuse hate and blanket judgment,' Perry said, while urging everyone to start 'meeting in the middle' to let 'healing begin.'
Changemaker: Tyler Perry sent a powerful message about compassion while accepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award on Sunday night at the 93rd annual Academy Awards
'In this time, with all of the internet and social media and algorithms that want us to think a certain way,' the Madea mogul explained.
'The 24-hour news cycle. It's my hope that we teach our kids, refuse hate. Don't hate anybody.'
'I refuse to hate someone because they're Mexican or because they are black or white. Or LGBTQ,' he said. 'I refuse to hate someone because they're a police officer or because they're Asian. I would hope we would refuse hit hate.'
Perry also asked audiences to think about compromise more, saying: '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.'
Rising above: Perry told viewers to 'refuse hate', a lesson he learned from his mother
Middle ground: He also urged people to find the 'middle' and let 'healing' begin
'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.'
The actor/director/producer's generosity has been unparalleled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This past Thanksgiving Perry donated 5000 boxes of holiday meals to families in need.
And in April, the billionaire partnered with a local Atlanta hospital to turn his studios into a vaccination site, covering all the costs himself.
Unity: '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'
Giving: This past Thanksgiving Perry donated 5000 boxes of holiday meals to families in need. Car stretched for miles to the donation site, seen above
In addition to his Oscar, Perry's philanthropy was recognized by the Television Academy, who bestowed him with last year's Governors Award.
He also received the People's Champion award at E!'s People Choice Awards.
There have been 39 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Awards given since 1957, with recipients including Bob Hope, Oprah Winfrey and, most recently, Geena Davis.
Its namesake, Jean Hersholt, served as MPTF president for 18 years, from 1938 until his death in 1956.
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