Who would
have thought that a Hollywood awards show would ever become more than just a
moment of pride for the famed stars and pure entertainment for the rest of us?
Perhaps with ignorance about what these awards actually mean to each
celebrity, or perhaps with a simple lack of knowledge about Hollywood history,
one month ago I would have never imagined such controversy. However, with the
#OscarsSoWhite comeback on social media, I assume this issue hard, if not
impossible, for anybody to ignore and even weigh in on--whether it be publicly
or in the comfort of their own private conversations.
For the
second year in a row, only white celebrities have been nominated for the 2016
Oscars. Beneath the layer of racial ignorance that has clouded our country for
too many years, it’s no wonder celebrities and common people alike have taken
it upon themselves to make a statement about this issue. Amongst the many
statements that have been publicly made about this problem, there are few that
share solutions. This is not because there is no solution, but rather because
there are too many different pieces of this problem that yield various actions
that it seems not everybody in Hollywood and the rest of our nation can agree
on. Depending on where each of us who hold a position on this conflict believe
the root of this problem is held, the solutions are all over the place and even
contradicting at times.
Presumably
like many, I was surprised, yet attentive to Stacey Dash’s comments about and
solutions to the ongoing segregation in Hollywood. As a black actress who has
worked for the BET network in the past, Stacey’s solution of getting rid of the
BET and BET awards show was not something many people were expecting to hear.
Like many arguments that have been made recently, there are both pros and cons
to Dash’s position. Arguing that the elimination of this network, as well as
Black History Month, will eventually lead to integration rather than
segregation, Dash’s solution at glance seems possible and effective. However,
thinking beyond surface level, there are further problems that arise from this
solution-- one of the most important being the elimination of the recognition
of one of the most important stories of American history. We have to understand
that there are reasons that the BET and its awards show were created, and to
disregard those reasons by simply nixing the results of segregation in
Hollywood and across the nation seems as ignorant as it does disrespectful.
Again, Dash’s argument does raise valid points, but it may have been smarter
for her to have elaborated her thought process further on live television.
Despite
the opposition from many, including Stacy’s cousin, Damon Dash, various people
can agree on one thing: much of the time that black people have won Oscars have
been for roles that have depicted stereotypes. Black actors and actresses
receive the most positive feedback and acknowledgment when they have played
characters that the people expect them to play, such as slaves. In response to
this general lack of recognition and the resulting boycotting of the Oscars,
Ice Cube, in an interview on the Graham Norton Show, commented, “You can’t
boycott something you never went to anyway.” Though he is speaking for himself
on account of his personal experience, Ice Cube’s comment highlights the level
of comfort that he and presumably many others have developed with not being
properly recognized when deserved.
As
a white citizen, I must admit that it is difficult to discuss this controversy,
feeling the validity of my statement may be of lesser value. However, just like
many citizens of all races and ethnicities, I have taken into consideration the
many different root problems and solutions that have been publicized and cannot
point my finger at which of these is right, wrong, effective, ineffective, etc.
Regardless of whether Hollywood takes action on Dash’s (or anybody else’s)
solution, it is important to recognize the opposing sides to each argument and
solution and approach them with deep thought, as well as a sense of
practicality.
Kristen Brennand
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