Perhaps one of the most memorable moments in Nash-Betts's speech was when she thanked herself for “believing in me,” but things got more personal when she called people's attention to police brutality against Black women. She said, "I accept this award on behalf of every Black and Brown woman who has gone unheard, yet overpoliced. Like Glenda Cleveland. Like Sandra Bland. Like Breonna Taylor."
Fans proceeded to praise the star for her powerful remarks on social media. One person tweeted, "This brilliant, passionate speech deserves its own award—it will make you clap and cry." Another said, "That Niecy Nash speech will be giving us life all year round."
When I asked the actress to break down her tribute to women like Sandra Bland, she said, "I felt that was important because the character that I played on Dahmer, Glenda Cleveland, was also overlooked and over-policed. She was also a voice that was unheard, similar to Sandra Bland, similar to Breanna Taylor, similar to the countless Black women who have been in that same situation. And those were just to name a few."
In case you're unfamiliar with her role in Netflix's Dahmer, Nash-Betts plays the suspicious neighbor of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. When she calls the police to report his concerning behavior, the authorities don't take her concerns seriously—and this is an unfortunate reality for many in the Black community.
