Twisting what’s become a current popular political slogan — do “Black Oscars Matter?”
I believe the answer is — yes. The Academy Awards are widely perceived as one of society’s most important cultural benchmarks of racial equality, particularly on Black and White issues. Along with its consortium in politics and sports — including who occupies the Oval Office and Black starting quarterbacks in the National Football League (undeniably two major arenas where Blacks have broken down old barriers) — those we chose to recognize as icons in the entertainment industry may indicate some lingering collective biases.
Controversy erupted again last week when this year’s Academy Award nominations were announced. For the second consecutive year, no Blacks were nominated in any of the so-called major categories. Some Black activists and advocacy groups expressed outrage at what was perceived as not merely an oversight but an affront. A few celebrities even pledged to boycott the Oscars. Instead of discussing the most deserving nominees and celebrating artistic achievement in cinema, the movie industry’s alleged racial inequities have now taken center stage and captured much of the media’s attention. Clearly, this is not what Hollywood had in mind for the entertainment industry’s premier showcase event.
Do the protesters have a point? I believe the answer is — a little bit yes, but mostly no.
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