RAMBLINGS AND OBSERVATIONS OF A 50 YEAR OLD: January 2016

Thursday, January 21, 2016

#OscarSoWhite

There seems to be a concern about the Oscar Nominations this year of the diversity of representation or the lack there of Black actors.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences …”The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's preeminent movie related organization, comprised of 7,000+ accomplished men and women working in cinema.

We recognize and uphold excellence in the motion picture arts and sciences, inspire imagination, and connect the world through the medium of motion pictures.” The Academy’s membership process is by sponsorship, not application. Candidates must be sponsored by two Academy members from the branch to which the candidate seeks admission.

Additionally, Academy Award nominees are automatically considered for membership and do not require sponsors.

Nominees and sponsored candidates are reviewed by branch committees and recommendations for membership are considered by the Academy’s Board of Governors. The Board decides which individuals will receive invitations. Membership review takes place once a year, in the spring. [http://www.oscars.org/about]

Research suggests that the Academy is the place that has no diversity. The fact that the voting board has no diversity in its members gives limited scope to any outcome of said diversity.

In other words “What do you expect?” It’s like having a bunch of girl scouts judging monster truck tractor pulls.

Which brings me to today’s observation; I noticed last year when there was civil unrest in the poorer communities, police misconducts and civil rights blatantly being violated by police, the Hollywood community for the most sat silent. Not one call of outrage or concern. Not even a PSA. I really don’t care about an industry that has shown to be exclusive by nature. There was a need to start production companies because of fact none of the “big name” movies houses were ever interested in independent/start up films [ thank you Sundance, LionsGate] to name a few. There is a need to acknowledge the minorities in this business. Wait! Just one minute, there are the NAACP Image Awards; The Trumpet Awards; Stellar Awards to name a few.

If you’re looking for the “oppressor” to acknowledge you, you will be waiting for something that will never truthfully will happen. Get over it, I could care less. Paying actors upwards 3 million or better per movie. Not my concern.

…Pandora