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It's clear that theres a lot of concern about the lack of diversity in this years oscar nominations, both in gender and race. Were seeing little to no black nominees, and this argument manages to address the other side of the argument that stems from the same central issue; the committee of white men in their mid 60’s that are supposed to represent the publics idea of what films are the most deserving of some of the most important recognitions in the film world. One of the other facets of this issue lies within the fact that modern ideas are ever-evolving, and old style methods used to determine which films are worthy of winning an oscar no longer are what the public mainstream desires. In the year of mainstream style feminism and slightly increased racial awareness, the academy award committees risk widespread dissonance amongst viewers unless they diversify their committees, as well as nominees.
I think it's pretty apparent that as revolutionary and understanding our current society might be, or at least seems to be headed, words and actions are two very different things. I think the problem is that we hear and relay these messages of equality and understanding but we don't consistently internalize them, as we probably should. Right now if I was to think of a director in the film industry I instantly picture a man, and when I try to envision the first women I'd see on a film set, she's either working on costumes, make up and dress or in managerial role. When I see this in my head it feels normal, but when I consider the progressive world I hear about, and the one I talk about living in, I can't help but feel ashamed that I didn't immediately consider the possibility of a women director, or really a women being placed in any role a man might have on a film shoot. We say we live in this day and age of consideration and understanding, but even with my best intentions to be considerate, I think the majority of Americans like me haven't really internalized the progress we regurgitate to the extent we need to. I applaud these female film writers and experts for being outraged and creating news about the current academy awards situation in order to bring these issues not only to mind, but to heart. To have Ava DuVernay snubbed of Best Director nomine, despite her film being nominated for Best Picture is ridiculous. I think if we really want change and progress as a nation we need to not only talk change but internalize it as well, and there’s no better way to do that than creating awareness. Only once in the 87 years of the Academy Awards has a woman won an Oscar for Best Director, [Kathryn Bigelow- The Hurt Locker (2010)] this achievement should of been a call for greater change, but now the lack of progression should call for an even greater one.
As a woman hoping to make her way into the industry, I'm shocked and disheartened by the lack of diversity in the Oscar nominations this year. I suppose it may come from too much faith in hoping for a less insular society, but it surprises me greatly that most nominees in the acting, directing and writing categories were white men. With the uproar of fighting for feminism and fighting against racial discrimination so present in our society lately, one would think this push forward in equality would be reflected in the art world especially. What is considered award-worthy in society says so much about what is acceptable and superior and the lack of diversity in nominations sends subconscious messages that women and and people of color are less worthy of praise. Now, I do think it's important to note that work should be awarded without consenting that work's creator's gender or race, but when clearly in the case of Ava DuVernay there's more going on than just unworthy work, something is seriously amiss. Also, ignoring the only applicable female writer (Gillian Flynn) is just nonsensical when there was certainly a deserved nomination there. I hope this Oscar year is seeing as our rock bottom in lack of diversity, and we only go up from here.
3 comments:
It's clear that theres a lot of concern about the lack of diversity in this years oscar nominations, both in gender and race. Were seeing little to no black nominees, and this argument manages to address the other side of the argument that stems from the same central issue; the committee of white men in their mid 60’s that are supposed to represent the publics idea of what films are the most deserving of some of the most important recognitions in the film world. One of the other facets of this issue lies within the fact that modern ideas are ever-evolving, and old style methods used to determine which films are worthy of winning an oscar no longer are what the public mainstream desires. In the year of mainstream style feminism and slightly increased racial awareness, the academy award committees risk widespread dissonance amongst viewers unless they diversify their committees, as well as nominees.
I think it's pretty apparent that as revolutionary and understanding our current society might be, or at least seems to be headed, words and actions are two very different things. I think the problem is that we hear and relay these messages of equality and understanding but we don't consistently internalize them, as we probably should. Right now if I was to think of a director in the film industry I instantly picture a man, and when I try to envision the first women I'd see on a film set, she's either working on costumes, make up and dress or in managerial role. When I see this in my head it feels normal, but when I consider the progressive world I hear about, and the one I talk about living in, I can't help but feel ashamed that I didn't immediately consider the possibility of a women director, or really a women being placed in any role a man might have on a film shoot. We say we live in this day and age of consideration and understanding, but even with my best intentions to be considerate, I think the majority of Americans like me haven't really internalized the progress we regurgitate to the extent we need to. I applaud these female film writers and experts for being outraged and creating news about the current academy awards situation in order to bring these issues not only to mind, but to heart. To have Ava DuVernay snubbed of Best Director nomine, despite her film being nominated for Best Picture is ridiculous. I think if we really want change and progress as a nation we need to not only talk change but internalize it as well, and there’s no better way to do that than creating awareness. Only once in the 87 years of the Academy Awards has a woman won an Oscar for Best Director, [Kathryn Bigelow- The Hurt Locker (2010)] this achievement should of been a call for greater change, but now the lack of progression should call for an even greater one.
As a woman hoping to make her way into the industry, I'm shocked and disheartened by the lack of diversity in the Oscar nominations this year. I suppose it may come from too much faith in hoping for a less insular society, but it surprises me greatly that most nominees in the acting, directing and writing categories were white men. With the uproar of fighting for feminism and fighting against racial discrimination so present in our society lately, one would think this push forward in equality would be reflected in the art world especially. What is considered award-worthy in society says so much about what is acceptable and superior and the lack of diversity in nominations sends subconscious messages that women and and people of color are less worthy of praise. Now, I do think it's important to note that work should be awarded without consenting that work's creator's gender or race, but when clearly in the case of Ava DuVernay there's more going on than just unworthy work, something is seriously amiss. Also, ignoring the only applicable female writer (Gillian Flynn) is just nonsensical when there was certainly a deserved nomination there. I hope this Oscar year is seeing as our rock bottom in lack of diversity, and we only go up from here.
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