(Image Source: Variety)
Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn, 64, recently attended the Marrakech International Film Festival with his 30-year-old girlfriend, Valeria Nicov (pictured right). There, he accepted a career achievement award from the organizers. The award was presented by Venice Film Festival Best Actress Valeria Golino, who became friends with Penn over three decades ago after starring in his directorial debut, "The Indian Runner."
During his acceptance speech, Penn seized the opportunity to express his concern over the current trend of "political correctness." He urged all creators to bravely resist this movement and embrace true diversity.
(Image Source: Just Jared)
Penn began his remarks by acknowledging his consistent practice of never missing an opportunity to voice his opinions on specific issues, noting that the awards ceremony provided a perfect platform. He then cited the eloquent British actor Stephen Fry, who, in a 2018 debate, vehemently opposed political correctness, lambasting it as a catalyst for cultural wars and the proliferation of extreme ideologies.
Penn continued, stating, "It is our job to expand, to advocate for, and to practice diversity through positive means. Stephen, who is a very progressive thinker, criticized another wing of liberalism, which is that liberalism, not just in America but around the world, claims to demand diversity, but they do not support diversity of behavior, or diversity of opinion, or diversity of language. For me, I simply encourage everybody to follow their own will as much as possible, to practice political incorrectness, to strive for diversity, and to continue to tell truly diverse stories."