This Sunday, I will no doubt be bundled up on my couch with a glass of sparkling grape juice watching the Academy Awards. Sitting on top of piles of ignored homework, I’ll roll my eyes at every corny joke host Neil Patrick Harris makes and explain the synopses of all the films to my bored boyfriend as they’re mentioned.
And for those of you who will be watching the oh-so-grandiose pop culture orgy along with me, there is one thing you should pay attention to — the overwhelming whiteness of the 2015 Oscars.
I’m not just talking about Tom Cruise’s teeth. I’m talking about how not a single African-American performer has been nominated this year.
The most notable case of the snubbing was “Selma,” which told the legendary story of the 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, led by Martin Luther King, Jr.
With exceptional performances by David Oyelowo, Andre Holland and New Orleans’ own Wendell Pierce, “Selma” was expected to pick up at least nomination for acting.
And although the film was indeed nominated for the highly-coveted Best Picture Oscar, the film’s African-American director, Ava DuVernay, was conveniently ignored for the Best Director award as well.
I’m not strictly defending “Selma” though. I’m advocating for a Hollywood that gives equal respect and attention to the work of a demographic other than “Old, White, Straight, and Probably Male.”
Because on another front, the majority of the films nominated this year are also largely male-driven and male-directed.
“Boyhood,” directed by a man, is apparently about how hard it is to grow up as a white boy in Texas. “Whiplash” is about two male sociopaths drumming their little hearts out. “American Sniper” is the hypermasculine wet dream of an Islamophobe and was directed by Hollywood’s favorite macho-man, Clint Eastwood.
One of the most egregious snubs, however, was novelist Gillian Flynn for her work on “Gone Girl.” The film was a massive hit and made every American husband turn to their wife and say “Please don’t ever ‘Gone Girl’ me, sweetie.” But Flynn was just another female writer ignored by the Academy.
In comparison, last year’s Oscars were as diverse as Epcot.
Lupita Nyong’o made her way into America’s collective heart after winning the Best Supporting Actress award for her moving performance in “12 Years a Slave.” After “Gravity” cleaned out the majority of the technical Oscars, the film’s Mexican director, Alfonso Cuarón, won the Best Director award. And who could forget Barkhad “I’m the captain now!” Abdi’s deserved Best Supporting Actor nod for “Captain Phillips.”
Hell — the 2014 ceremony’s host was Ellen DeGeneres, a lesbian.
I guess the only thing similar between this year’s Oscars and last year’s is that they’re hosted by blonde, blue-eyed gay people.
When confronted with this information, many are quick to quip, “They’re just awards, they don’t matter. It’s just a silly show, not a social justice-palooza.” To that, I say, a social justice-palooza sounds like a great, effective way of bringing about equality to the world.
And in a world where I could instantly spew out Nielsen ratings, I’d also say that the Oscars do matter, especially to the 43.7 million viewers who tuned into last year’s ceremony. Not to mention, the Oscars is the most influential award show in Hollywood.
While some of you might be more worried about the oil prices, the Islamic State or the impending doom of midterms week, you cannot deny the importance of films.
Films can and should reflect our lives, passions, and dreams in front of us on the silver screen. Going to the movies means so much more than just stale popcorn-fueled capitalism and sticky floors. As a film and media arts major, I know I’m biased here, but movies are the best thing that ever happened to me.
And such a beautiful art form shouldn’t be clouded with racism, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia. The award shows that celebrate and judge the film industry cannot fall into the trap of only recognizing the work of old white dudes anymore.
The western world needs to realize that not everyone fits into that narrow definition. I certainly don’t.
Films helmed by directors like Ava DuVernay or writers like Gillian Flynn can’t keep getting looked over like this. At this point, it’s looking like the Academy purposefully ignores the work of anyone who doesn’t look like the Koch brothers.
So get out your wallet and bet your friends that all of Sunday night’s winners will be white. Because, as they almost always have, the Oscars will ignore the countless individual perspectives from African-Americans, women, disabled people and the LGBT community that were captured on film.
SidneyRose Reynen is a 19-year-old film and media arts sophomore from New Orleans. You can follow her on Twitter @sidneyrose_TDR.