Naomi Ackie Powerfully Reacts to BAFTA Nod: The “Embracing of Joy Is a Small Act of Rebellion”

On Thursday, Naomi Ackie was named one of the 2020 British Academy Television Awards nominees for her role on The End of the F***ing World. Naomi, who received a nod for best supporting actress, reacted to the news in an Instagram post while addressing global conversations about social justice. “It feels quite strange to receive a nomination in this time,” she wrote. “On the one hand I’m elated, over the moon with happiness. On the other, I will not ignore the magnitude of [the] challenges ahead globally. It feels strange to have the two feelings in the same body. Hope and despair. Pride and shame. Happiness and melancholy. Motivation and apathy.”

The actress went on to share how she’s reconciled her feelings of joy during a time of distress. “There’s a guilt in feeling happy sometimes, knowing what has come before you and how far there is to go,” she continued. “I have begun learning however, that the persistent embracing of joy is a small act of rebellion in itself. The resilience to make space for yourself to feel openly, is a small act of rebellion. I feel proud. I feel acknowledged. I feel galvanised and above all else I feel grateful. For all the shoulders I stand on, my ancestors, my family, my allies, those who have passed away and those who hold my hand right now to help me achieve my purpose. I thank you. To all my actors of colour we HERE! And we ain’t going NOWHERE! Xxx.”

Naomi’s statement comes amid worldwide calls to action following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Her Star Wars costar, John Boyega, recently spoke out against racial injustice at a Black Lives Matter protest in London, saying, “Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting.”