So the nominations for the Oscars have come out, and for the most part the nominations are the ones that I mostly expected to appear. But a controversy has arise, as they always do when it comes to the Academy Awards. We see that in the second year in a row there were no people of color, specifically in this issue everybody brings up, black African-American talent, who were nominated for an Oscar. Now I'll be honest, when I first realized this was an issue again, I was angry. As I felt I had a right to be, myself being a black African-American (FYI, my family is from Belize, and I'm mostly a pacifist and not easily prone to anger, but if you really want to piss me off easily, say that I'm not of the black skin color or African-American because I'm "Belizean" even though my family's roots obviously trace from Africa, but that's another rant). I felt that there was enough talent that could've been nominated such as Jason Mitchell for his role in Straight Outta Compton as Eazy-E, or Ryan Coogler for directing Creed. But then after a couple of days thinking about it, I then said to myself, but who would I take out of the already announced nominations? Then an even more important question, were they really better at the job than the nominations? That is when I came to my senses and said to myself "Wait a minute, the Oscars is an awards ceremony that is about achievements in the past year in film, it has NOTHING to do with race, so why is this an issue?" Look I'm going to be honest, I'm not an expert or professional in these sort of controversial topics. I just want to put in my opinion and two cents in a topic that is related to the Oscars, something that me being a film lover, does follow.
\You notice I have two separate pictures above, one of Mrs. Fresh Prince, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and director Spike Lee. Now both have vowed not to attend the Oscars because of the lack of nominated black talent. Lee, because throughout his career he has been legitimately a crusader for the group and has fought for representation, and Pinkett-Smith supposedly for the same reason, but we all know because really her hubby wasn't nominated for Best Actor for his role in Concussion, but I digress. Let's say both are neglecting the Oscars under protest for the reason they say. I can see where they are coming from. If they feel there is a lack of representation for the black community in the Academy Awards and they are sick of it, they do not need to surround themselves by what they feel is betrayal. But let's ask this question, what is the Academy Awards about? What is the point of the Oscars? The answer is and has always has been since the first ceremony in 1929, to celebrate the achievements made in film the past year. Who were the best directors, best actors, best writers, best editors, best cinematographers, etc. And most important what was the best picture of the year. It always focused on who were the BEST at their craft. NOT who were best black talent, white talent Latino talent, Asian talent, etc. It was NEVER about race, it was about FILM and MOVIES, and the TALENT, that made them good. The Academy, the voting committee who is responsible for voting in the ballots that determine who is nominated and who wins, decides on this, based on their subjective opinions. There is truth to the stats that 93% of them are white males over the age of 60, but again that has nothing to do with their opinions. Based on their individual opinions, and let me remind all of you that we are individuals with individually different opinions, they vote on the best, not by color of skin. They may think that films like The Revenant or The Martian may be better than let's say a Straight Outta Compton or a Concussion, because newsflash, They Are Entitled To Their Opinion. And they have every right to, because you know what that is THEIR opinion, no one has the fight to forcefully change that. They can think Matt Damon did a better acting job in The Martian, than Will Smith in Concussion, not because one actor is white and one is black, but one gave the better performance in their opinion. Look I like Star Wars: The Force Awakens better than The Revenant. Now Star Wars is directed by a Caucasian white man, J.J. Abrams, and The Revenant is directed by a Mexican man, Alejandro G. Inarritu. Does this mean that I think Mexicans are not good directors and that they are incompetent to white directors. NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT! Talent can come from anyone, regardless of skin color and ethnicity. I just happened to like one movie over the another, for various reasons, none which have to do with the ethnicity of the directors.
Now let me challenge you with another question. So you say films with black talent should have been nominated. Okay good, that is what you think. But have you actually seen the other nominations? And I'm not saying the other nominations are clearly better than your picks, I'm asking have you seen the other nominations so you can properly compare. I say this because until we have seen these movies and before we say Eddie Redmayne should not have been nominated for The Danish Girl and Will Smith from Concussion should have taken his place, we would have to see the previous film, don't we. That way we can properly construct and go in depth with our arguments. And good outcomes can come out of this. If you feel that Mark Ruffalo's performance in Spotlight is sub par to lets say Idris Elba from Beasts of No Nation, after seeing Spotlight of course, you may see why the Academy chose Ruffalo and understand why people may prefer this performance. Hell, it can go a complete 180, where you can come out of Spotlight, and say "You know what, Ruffalo gave one hell of a performance, maybe better than what Elba did". It is all up to your opinion and tastes, and that what it is all about, not skin color. We shouldn't judge a performance in a film by skin color. Because think about it judging whether or not a talent whether it would be a director or actor should deserve an Oscar based on their color of skin is a form of prejudice, yes even if you think a black talent should have been a nominee, because they need a black person . Putting in someone because a need for a minority is basically just treating them like a token, not much because their talent is worth it.
Now I can understand where seeing a list of white actors and no minorities can be disturbing and somewhat irksome. Well as it may look like I am saying there is no issue, there actually is one. And the issue is not with the Academy, because their job is to watch the 500 movies that come out per year that have screenings in L.A. and New York, because that is what makes a movie elgible for Oscar consideration, and then vote based on their opinion. The issue is with the studios. There is simply not enough work and opportunities that can be given to black or minority talent. Speaking of which let me put people of other minority groups in the conversation. Because I'm noticing the issue people are having, because they feel it is easier and common route, is just about black people, not other minority ethnicities like Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, etc, but whatever. Going back to the topic though, like I said there are not a lot of opportunities given to minorities. For example, even though not much of a good one because Matt Damon championed for this film, but any actor of any other ethnicity could have played the role of Mark Watney, because it is a fictional character not a real-based person. On top of that in the movie, nothing about him being a white character had anything to do with character trait and personality. Mark was just an astronaut stranded on Mars trying to get back home. But also opportunities are not only limited to existing properties, but they can be given by filmmakers of minority ethnicity, or screenplays that provide roles for these opportunities. But not enough new minority talent is being looked at nor are minority actors given the chance to try out for these big roles. If the studios also focused on talent not skin color, most likely a controversy like what is happening with the Academy Awards right now is least likely to happen. Studios should stop playing it safe and being conservative, and think about who brings the best performances, who is best choice for the director, and who has the best written, and probably best profitable as well story, regardless of color of skin.
If you want more perspective on this, watch this video by Collider Movie Talk host John Campea "Why the #OscarsSoWhite Outrage is Total BS" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Seb0NOC8k) and probably to your surprise, the video is not as offensive as it may sound. Campea comes from an understandable and professional angle here. I've been watching John Campea everyday since late 2013/early 2014 back when his show was run by AMC Theaters and it was called AMC Movie Talk, because he and the other commentators have such an intelligent and entertaining insight in the movie news, films, and the industry. I truly believe that the YouTube show is like the new Siskel and Ebert. And whenever big controversies within the industry, like today's' #OscarsSoWhite would arise and can cause and outrage in people, he is always the level headed guy who uses his head and say's "Wait a minute guys, let's really talk about this like rationale and smart human beings". This video didn't force but helped influenced my opinion on the matter, and made me think about my previous thought. I recommend watching this video and also Collider Movie Talk, if you are a movie fan.
So to finish off, the Oscars should never be a place to discuss colors of skin, but quality of talent. Let;s just celebrate the talent and performances they have given whether it would be acting, directing, and writing. Argue about that. Looking at the color of one's skin, whether it would be determining who deserves to be nominated or hired for a film is what will keep us back, not move us forward. Peace out.
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