Media mogul Oprah Winfrey made it all the way plain about why she was hitting the the campaign trail for Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams.
“I was just sitting at home in California, minding my own business, but I could not stop thinking about what’s going on down here,” Winfrey told the audience. “You all are on the precipice of a historical election.”
While she could have merely endorsed Abrams — would could become the nation’s first Black female governor — from afar, Winfrey hit the ground in the Peach State because she just couldn’t ignore the attempt to suppress the votes Georgia residents.
"I'm here today because of the men & the women who were lynched, who were humiliated, who were discriminated against, who were suppressed, who were repressed, and oppressed…their blood has seeped into my DNA and I refuse to let their scarifies be in vain." – Oprah pic.twitter.com/zT3xMqinCt
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) November 1, 2018
“I’m here today because of the men and the women who were lynched, who were humiliated, who were discriminated against, who were suppressed, who were repressed, and oppressed,” Winfrey said. “Their blood has seeped into my DNA and I refuse to let their sacrifice be in vain.”
Winfrey also told the crowd she was supporting Abrams because she’s been “standing strong for the values that matter to me and the values that matter to Georgians all over this state.”
Abrams is locked in a tight race with her Republican challenger, Brian Kemp. A new NBC News/Marist College poll has the pair virtually tied, and voter turnout will be the key to winning the race.
Kemp has been accused of using suppression tactics, and many, including former President Jimmy Carter, have called on him to step down as Georgia’s Secretary of State while he runs for the governor’s seat. Kemp has refused, and Winfrey reminded voters that they cannot afford to stay home on election day.
“For anybody here who has an ancestor who didn’t have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote, wherever you are … You are dishonoring your family. You are disrespecting and disregarding their legacy, their suffering and their dreams,” she told the audience.
Oprah: "I'm here today because of the men and because of the women who were lynched, who were humiliated … for the right, for the equality at the polls. And I want you to know that their blood has seeped into my DNA and I refuse to let their sacrifices be in vain." (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/mWMwTjIeok
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 1, 2018
While Winfrey fired up the crowd in Marietta, she also wanted to set the record straight about her political future.
“I don’t want to run,” Winfrey reiterated. “I’m not trying to test any waters, don’t want to go in those waters.”