Last night at the SAG awards, a number of stars took a brave stand against tyranny and the new President’s executive orders, including a ban against Muslims entering the U.S.

Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali picked up two SAG awards, one for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his turn as Juan in Moonlight, another as a part of the ensemble cast in Hidden Figures, but it’s his acceptance speech which is getting talked about today.

Ali, who is Muslim, spoke movingly about what he learned from working on the Oscar-nominated movie:

“You see what happens when you persecute people, and they fold into themselves. … What I was so grateful about in having the opportunity to play Juan, was playing a gentleman who saw a young man folding into himself as a result of the persecution of his community, and taking that opportunity to uplift him and tell him he mattered, that he was OK. And accept him. I hope that we do a better job of that.’

 “I think what I’ve learned from working on Moonlight is we see what happens when you persecute people. They fold into themselves and what I was so grateful about in having the opportunity to play Juan was playing a gentleman who saw a young man folding into himself as a result of the persecution of his community. Taking the opportunity to uplift him and to tell him he mattered, he was okay, and accept him. I hope that we do a better job of that.

The empathic message came at a perfect time for this country.

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Evan Hosie has worked as a Women's Lifestyle editor/writer (expert in the beauty and fashion vertical); created the Pop Culture section for Radaronline.com; never met a gadget she didn't want; and spends too much time on Social Media.

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