Where is South Sudan, what did Tom Hiddleston say in his Golden Globes acceptance speech and what is a ‘white saviour’ complex?

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TOM'S LONG STORY

Tom Hiddleston cringe-worthy Golden Globe's acceptance speech sparked criticism on social media, with people accusing him of portraying himself as a 'white saviour'

AN awards show never goes by without a celeb just accepting their prize – there’s always one that ends up saying something that will rub people the wrong way.

Tom Hiddleston ^[1], 35, may have had viewers riveted during The Night Manager series but they completely lost interest in his super-serious Golden Globe acceptance speech ^[2].

The Brit star has since apologised for the lengthy address admitting his “nerves got the better of him”^[3]. Here’s what he said and why he faced a backlash:

Tom Hiddleston has been accused of portraying himself as a ‘white saviour’ after delivering his cringe-worthy Golden Globe’s acceptance speech

What did Tom Hiddleston say in his Golden Globes acceptance speech?

Tom Hiddleston pays tribute to Carrie Fisher at the Golden Globe Awards

Hiddleston won Best Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Motion Picture for his performance as Hotel night porter Jonathan Pine in BBC One's The Night Manager.

But his speech sparked criticism and mockery after he told a story about his humanitarian work in Sudan.

After picking up his trophy, Tom told the audience in LA: “A quick story, I know it’s been a long night. I recently went to South Sudan, which is the youngest country in the world – in east Africa, with the United Nations Children’s Fund.

"I do a little bit of work with them, try to spread the word as best I can. It’s a terrible situation happening for children.

“The Night Manager is about arms dealing and there are far too many arms going in to South Sudan.”

During the speech, he said that Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) doctors and nurses in South Sudan had watched the show, adding "And the idea that I could provide, or that we could provide, some relief and entertainment for the people who worked for UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières and the World Food Program, who are fixing the world in the places where it is broken, made me immensely proud."

Where is South Sudan?

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011

South Sudan is bordered by Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Uganda to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and the Central African Republic to the west.

South Sudan ^[4] gained independence in 2011 from Sudan as a result of a 2005 peace deal that ended the country's long civil war.

But its independence did not bring conflict in South Sudan to an end.

Since 2013, the new state plunged into crisis amid a power struggle - forcing two million people to flee their homes.

Today, South Sudan, which is home to over 60 different major ethnic groups, has continuing disputes within the governing party and a lack of economic development - which cloud its immediate future.

According to the United Nations, widespread ethnic cleansing, burning villages, starvation and gang rape is “so prevalent that it’s become ‘normal'”.

What is a 'white saviour' complex?

Hiddleston's cringe-worthy Golden Globe's acceptance speech sparked criticism on social media, with people accusing him of making him centre of attention in a crisis and portraying himself as a "white saviour".

The "white saviour complex" is a perception that a Westerner rescues people of colour and "fixes" problems of struggling nations without understanding their history, needs, or the country's current state of affairs.

The Night Manager star has since apologised for his speech as a result of the backlash.

In a Facebook post he admitted: "I completely agree that my speech at the Golden Globes last night was inelegantly expressed. In truth, I was very nervous, and my words just came out wrong.

"Sincerely, my only intention was to salute the incredible bravery and courage of the men and women who work so tirelessly for UNICEF UK, Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and World Food Programme, and the children of South Sudan, who continue to find hope and joy in the most difficult conditions. I apologise that my nerves got the better of me."

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Golden Globes 2017 most awkward moments… including the indifference to Tom Hiddleston’s speech ^[6]

Tom Hiddleston mocked for rambling Golden Globes acceptance speech ^[7]

Nicole Kidman interrupts Tom Hiddleston’s red carpet interview ^[8]