Hollywood is not a follower of its own rules, as demonstrated by the check-box event.
Lost in the tumult of the Will Smith attack on Chris Rock is what took place with the winners – one irony being that Smith’s stunt has actually eclipsed his later winning the Best Actor trophy. While Smith won, as well as most other Sunday evening winners, isn’t being talked about much, Burbank was home to some notable achievements.
Ariana DeBose Becomes First Openly Queer Woman of Color to Win Acting Oscar: ‘There Is Indeed a Place for Us’ https://t.co/Zaho1KICe0
— Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
This headline caught my attention because it was the first time I saw it. I had been under the impression that gay was no longer a unique designation in this industry. We are in an era when we must sub-divide social groups in order to communicate the historical nature. Troy Kotsur received the Best Supporting actor award. This was also a historic landmark.
Troy Kotsur Makes Oscar History as First Deaf Male Winner, Dedicates Emotional Speech to Father https://t.co/KbPbJgzZCd
— Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
These recognitions are fine. However, it is clear that Hollywood will continue to drill down on these landmarks in years to come. I foresee a time when the headlines could read something akin to “For Best Sound Design, the First Fructose-Intolerant Editor will be crowned.” But what is also displayed here is something Hollywood does not want recognized: They have been lax in recognizing people in these categories.
Think about how long it’s been since celebrities have lectured us on tolerance and acceptance. Yet, their industry has lagged behind in taking the same action that they command of other industries. This is evident in Ariana DeBose’s comments backstage at awards.
“I’m an openly queer woman of color — and not for nothing, that’s freaking awesome, you guys,” she said. She noted that she’s “the second Latina to win an acting award” after [actress Rita] Moreno. “And I think that just proves that there’s space for us. It’s a beautiful moment to be seen. And I’m really honored by that.”
Here is where sound effects would go in. Record breaking You can listen to it as a soundtrack. DeBose does just that. SecondLatina wins! Rita Moreno’s award was given out all the way back in 1962, and this is only the second Latina victory in 60 years. DeBose won for the exact same movie, making things worse.
Take a look back at all the discussion over the years about black performers not getting proper recognition. Next, think of how Hispanics are a larger population in the United States. It is shameful that Hollywood has only honored two Latina actors over six decades. In both cases, this is because they were Latinas performing in the same musical.
It is amazing that they love using their bully pulpit as a platform to lecture us on our social issues. Yet, they have no knowledge in those very areas they claim to be wise. It is the same obliviousness that was displayed in the aftermath of the Will Smith attack on the evening. They had spent years dictating what words should be violent and how violent rhetoric was a scourge. Now they display actual violence and almost never react.
Amy Schumer had made earlier a comment regarding toxic masculinity. Later, she decries the behaviour she witnessed on the same stage as she. It was from one their own. Hollywood’s blind spot in front the mirror is evident. It is not well-known that Hollywood celebrates the success of first-time honors for social groups, but they fail to recognize the truth of their failures.
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