Boycotting the Oscars

[hopemax]

I see a lot of complaining but few solutions. What can be done exactly? People say that they don't want quotas but how do you force a group of voting people to pick the "right" candidates? Would it be fair to those who did a good job if they got snubbed because of some kind of quota?

This show is mostly about entertainment. I think that boycotts are silly but an easy way to complain without any real substance.

IMO, the problem with the Academy extends beyond potential racial bias, and its something that other group's and their awards have had to deal with recently. The two places that I'm familiar with is the Baseball Hall of Fame. There, the issue hasn't been surrounding race but whether or not people who play "modern" positions like the DH, relief pitchers and closers are "deserving" of being elected to the Hall of Fame and secondly, the steroid issue. The solution that Baseball came up with is that voters must have been active in the BBWAA in the last 10 years. 100 voters lost their privileges, and that group was predominately old, retired writers. And this year's votes definitely showed a marked change.

I don't know the exact makeup of the Academy voters, but a similar solution may be available. For years the complaints have been that the Academy is made up of old, white men and that the Oscars have become less relevant to younger people who see a growing disparity between performances they value vs this old guard. And that might benefit all actors whose roles or who themselves are viewed as non-traditional. This is a good reason why the makeup of the Hosts has been more "representative" over the last decade, because the ratings forced their hands. But it isn't enough to stop just at hosts.

The second place, isn't my "world," and I really don't know much about, except that I stumbled across a long article about it, several months back (I wish I knew which one, but google Hugo awards and puppygate and you'll find plenty). But apparently, the Sci-Fi writing community is struggling with it's white male conservative group of writers vs writers whose stories are more friendly to LGBT, females and people of color. The Hugo Awards became the focal point when a group who calls themselves Sad Puppies, and a 2nd group who calls themselves Rabid Puppies, orchestrated this year's ballot (block voting) to be more in tune with their politics, which meant white guys got nominated. Several popular authors, including George RR Martin spoke out. Unlike the Academy, it's easier to participate in Hugo voting, so membership swelled and this year's awards themselves turned out to be less controversial. But the groups who orchestrated the ballot plan to do the same next year.

Everywhere you look battles are being waged between so-called traditional and progressive values, with all the code words you can think of thrown in. This is another "symptom" and IMO, if people think this is just Jada's "sour grapes" aren't really paying attention to the rest of the world. People aren't perfect angels, no one. So there are going to be mistakes, injustices, biases etc everywhere. All we can do is strive to be better than before. And I don't see how we get there when, going in, we're looking to diminish, dismiss or subject the complaint raiser to "how perfect are *you*," tests. Obviously, Jada is sensitive to racial issues, but I think it's a mistake to think that the dissatisfaction is coming only about race. IMO, it's speaking to something bigger, and sometimes the words to describe don't come easy and it becomes easier to speak about just the racial component.

 

[hopemax]

And have any of them stepped forward to say WHICH nominees should be replaced? If they are going to put themselves out there and say a minority should be included, then they should also put themselves out there and say which of the 5 current nominees should NOT have been included. OR come up with a better working solution.

There is another post on this forum where co-workers were going to ask for a raise because they weren't getting paid as much as new hires. The majority said it was inappropriate to use whatever the new hires were making and quality of employees they they might be as justification. Their argument should be solely about THEIR contribution. Following that advice wouldn't it be inappropriate to call out another actor, their coworker, for receiving too much "compensation" for an unworthy job? A callout like that only really serves the gossipmongers and wouldn't help anything. There are times when others can say something you can't and this is one of those times.

Or to put it another way. When has throwing someone else under the bus ever helped anyone make their point? Jada's beef isn't with this other actor.

 

[Owlpost23]

Very easy solution-form a studio that will make films that minorities wish to make.In the twenties,Douglas Fairbanks,Mary Pickford,and Charlie Chaplin formed United Artists so they could make the kind of pictures THEY wanted to make.That might really open up opportunities for people of color to show off their craft.

 

[CPanther95]

I just looked for Best Actor since 1958 Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx and Forrest Whitaker have won an oscar. 16 actors nominated
for best Actress since 1954 only one black actress Halley Berry has won, 10 black actors nominated
Since 1969 Best actor in a supporting role Louis Gossett, Jr.,Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding jr, Morgan Freeman 12 actors nominated but didn't win
Since 1939 Best female actor in a supporting role Hattie McDaniel, whoopie Goldberg,Jennifer Hudson, Mo'nique, Octavia Spenser, Lupita Nyong'o

So in 58 years only 4 black actors deserved an oscar? In 62 years only 1 black female actor has been worthy of an oscar? in 37 years only 4 black actors got a supporting role oscar? Lastly in 77 years only 6 black female actors deserved an oscar. Wow that is racist.

The key missing factor is how many total stars and major supporting actors were white vs black in all movies made in the past 58 years. That would be needed info to determine if the award is given out disproportionately.

Personally, I don't see the Academy taking on any complex issues successfully. Their primary job is to pick the best movies of the year, and what they normally accomplish is to create a list of the most dull - least entertaining - films of the year.

 

[mnrose]

The key missing factor is how many total stars and major supporting actors were white vs black in all movies made in the past 58 years. That would be needed info to determine if the award is given out disproportionately.

Personally, I don't see the Academy taking on any complex issues successfully. Their primary job is to pick the best movies of the year, and what they normally accomplish is to create a list of the most dull - least entertaining - films of the year.

Of course. And, the film industry has shown itself remarkably implacable at refusing to cast actors of color in major roles. I agree that the lack of actors in color in roles causes the lack of awards, but what explains the lack of black actors? Hmmm. And, I really am not interested in hearing that the "roles" that result in nominations are not suitable for actors of color. As I've pointed out before, "historical" accuracy (the often given excuse) doesn't cut it anymore. See: The entire cast of Hamilton, one of the best (if not THE best) musicals of the year on Broadway.

 

[cabanafrau]

How about sexist, isn't that a problem worth discussing? Four nominations for a female best director, with one win? Male actors make considerably more overall than females. A tremendous amount of female roles revolve around men, discussing men, supporting the male plotline, etc. Aging male actors can continue working, females much less so.

I'm far more ready to see that discussion at this point.

 

[LuvOrlando]

And unless you're a white person, you can't possibly understand how infrequently the supposed advantages I'm allegedly born with actually pan out.

And yes, minorities who give outstanding performances are recognized. But, the fact that nobody can pin down one or two specific "outstanding" performances to recognize (as opposed to listing off ALL the "good" ones together) just tells me maybe none of these performances were actually "outstanding".

This is also the point, "White privilege" is as much an idea manufactured by the entertainment industry and is as offensive as portraying all minorities as disadvantaged. The movie "For colored girls only" is a stark display of this perspective as is "Precious" which makes child abuse and neglect appear a race issue, which it isn't... It so isn't, women are abused across all socioeconomic lines but that's not what it looks like on TV or in movies.

If the only understanding a kid/person has about so called 'White America' (which is a make believe reality) is from TV with the TV version of white privledge (most white people are not Modern Family) it's no wonder many around the world resent what they think that means. I remember being a kid in my messed up household watching 'Growing Pains' & 'Family Ties' feeling awful & alienated because I didn't have that either. It took age and experience to recognize the fakeness

 

[Patch'sD]

What people are concerned about is Movie People giving awards to Movie People. Do people really care who gets the award or do they want to see who is dressed in what. I know I like to watch to see if a movie that I liked get's some award and the Host's commedy. For the most part, the movies that I like are never nominated. Since it is up to the Active members of the Actors Branch to come up with the nominations. Spike and Mrs. Smith should by boycotting the Screen Actors Guild awards too, since they are the same people. I find it funny that these same people who that try to force their liberal values on the rest of the population can't do as they say.

 

[LuvOrlando]

How about sexist, isn't that a problem worth discussing? Four nominations for a female best director, with one win? Male actors make considerably more overall than females. A tremendous amount of female roles revolve around men, discussing men, supporting the male plotline, etc. Aging male actors can continue working, females much less so.

I'm far more ready to see that discussion at this point.

"Jessica Jones" has exploded on Netflix (love it) because it's awesome, the lead is an imperfect mess who is pretty but not the sort of Barbie pretty jammed down our throats. In contrast, Hollywoods version of a female lead is the gaggy 'Supergirl' version a blond sweet confection nobody wants, except maybe the creepy old rich guys running the industry who like their women docile & controllable

Women make up 50% of the population, no reason more aren't influential and in positions of power unless being excluded is a systemic issue.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Of course. And, the film industry has shown itself remarkably implacable at refusing to cast actors of color in major roles. I agree that the lack of actors in color in roles causes the lack of awards, but what explains the lack of black actors? Hmmm. And, I really am not interested in hearing that the "roles" that result in nominations are not suitable for actors of color. As I've pointed out before, "historical" accuracy (the often given excuse) doesn't cut it anymore. See: The entire cast of Hamilton, one of the best (if not THE best) musicals of the year on Broadway.

And again, we're all aware of this. The industry isn't a charity or an activist organization. It's a business, period. Right or wrong, they are casting the people they believe will create the best return on their investment. That isn't going to change because of whining, boycotts, or any other form of activism. It'll change when they're proven wrong.

 

[cabanafrau]

This is also the point, "White privilege" is as much an idea manufactured by the entertainment industry and is as offensive as portraying all minorities as disadvantaged. The movie "For colored girls only" is a stark display of this perspective as is "Precious" which makes child abuse and neglect appear a race issue, which it isn't... It so isn't, women are abused across all socioeconomic lines but that's not what it looks like on TV or in movies.

If the only understanding a kid/person has about so called 'White America' (which is a make believe reality) is from TV with the TV version of white privledge (most white people are not Modern Family) it's no wonder many around the world resent what they think that means. I remember being a kid in my messed up household watching 'Growing Pains' & 'Family Ties' feeling awful & alienated because I didn't have that either. It took age and experience to recognize the fakeness

I apologize for not understanding your point, but your reference to Precious is confusing me. Precious was directed by Lee Daniels and produced by Oprah Winfrey.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

"Jessica Jones" has exploded on Netflix (love it) because it's awesome, the lead is an imperfect mess who is pretty but not the sort of Barbie pretty jammed down our throats. In contrast, Hollywoods version of a female lead is the gaggy 'Supergirl' version a blond sweet confection nobody wants, except maybe the creepy old rich guys running the industry who like their women docile & controllable

Women make up 50% of the population, no reason more aren't influential and in positions of power unless being excluded is a systemic issue.

The only thing that could keep women from running the show is women. You HAVE the numbers.

 

[soccerdad72]

"Jessica Jones" has exploded on Netflix (love it) because it's awesome, the lead is an imperfect mess who is pretty but not the sort of Barbie pretty jammed down our throats. In contrast, Hollywoods version of a female lead is the gaggy 'Supergirl' version a blond sweet confection nobody wants, except maybe the creepy old rich guys running the industry who like their women docile & controllable

"Jessica Jones" isn't produced in "Hollywood"? Isn't it an ABC Studios production?

 

[JoeA]

Can we please stop using the phrase "white privilege" in a thread about the Smith's? I'm struggling on feeling sorry for them if this is, indeed their house. Oh, poor Will Smith!

 

[asta]

How about sexist, isn't that a problem worth discussing? Four nominations for a female best director, with one win? Male actors make considerably more overall than females. A tremendous amount of female roles revolve around men, discussing men, supporting the male plotline, etc. Aging male actors can continue working, females much less so.

I'm far more ready to see that discussion at this point.

I totally agree. Sexism crosses all racial groups. This is a much worse problem than racial discrimination and affects many more people in multiple cultures around the world. As far as the Oscars go, they do not even let women compete with male actors. The whole separate but equal philosophy was defeated in the case of racial issues many years ago but it still exists in these award shows.

 

[LuvOrlando]

"Jessica Jones" isn't produced in "Hollywood"? Isn't it an ABC Studios production?

I think lots of people use the term "Hollowood" to refer to the institutionalize standard & the state of mind. There are outliers such as the Netflix & independent makers that offer a different version from what's on the big networks. Still not enough diversity, I'm not holding Netflix up as a paragon; more as a step in a different direction and people are gobbling it up in droves

 

[asta]

Can we please stop using the phrase "white privilege" in a thread about the Smith's? I'm struggling on feeling sorry for them if this is, indeed their house. Oh, poor Will Smith!

Poor Will and Jada. They are so discriminated against that they only get to live in a house this size.

I have an idea! If they think this is such a huge problem they could live in a house half this size and spend more of their money trying to solve this problem.

 

[Unas]

And unless you're a white person, you can't possibly understand how infrequently the supposed advantages I'm allegedly born with actually pan out.

And yes, minorities who give outstanding performances are recognized. But, the fact that nobody can pin down one or two specific "outstanding" performances to recognize (as opposed to listing off ALL the "good" ones together) just tells me maybe none of these performances were actually "outstanding".

Here's a checklist . . . http://crc-global.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/white-privilege.pdf
I find that my white friends and I get these perks regularly and routinely.

 

[LuvOrlando]

The only thing that could keep women from running the show is women. You HAVE the numbers.

Some are trying but we need to stand behind those who are speaking up like Jennifer Lawrence & Gibourey Sidibe and not behind the ridiculous paper tiger bought & paid for women's groups, who shall remain nameless.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

What people are concerned about is Movie People giving awards to Movie People. Do people really care who gets the award or do they want to see who is dressed in what.

It depends on the person. A 12 year old back girl interested in film making is going to look at award shows in a different lens than a 40-something housewife who is only interested in what minor thing Anne Hathaway did that caused a ruckus in Variety.