Now that the Academy Awards are over for another year and the fashion police have written the appropriate tickets, I felt the need to share some thoughts with respect to how the esteemed academy recognizes African American thespians. It seems to me that the Academy often rewards African American actors for portraying roles of the worst and most demeaning stereotypes. Let’s review the evidence:
- Denzel Washington – Best Actor for his portrayal of a drug addicted cop in Training Day
- Halle Berry – Best Actress for her portrayal of down-on-her-luck wife of a convicted felon in Monster’s Ball
- Whoopi Goldberg – Best Actress for playing an inept con-woman/enchantress in Ghost
- Morgan Freeman – Best Supporting actor for playing a “lawn jockey” in Driving Miss Daisy
All of these roles portray Black folks in the most stereotypical roles I can think of. What's more, I can think of several roles for all of these actors that were infinitely more Oscar-worthy. If you want to truly see the aforementioned actors at their best, check out these films:
- Denzel Washington in Malcolm X , The Hurricane, and Glory
- Halle Berry in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, and Losing Isaiah
- Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple, Ghosts of Mississippi, and Clara’s Heart
- Morgan Freeman in Million Dollar Baby, The Shawshank Redemption, and Glory
In fairness, I do think the Academy got it “right” in bestowing Jamie Foxx with an Oscar in his role in Ray, and Sidney Poitier for his role so many years ago in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, but those are clearly the exception and not the rule. Why didn’t Mos Def get nominated for his role in Something the Lord Made? Why hasn’t Don Cheadle been recognized for Hotel Rwanda, Crash, or A Lesson Before Dying? And where’s the props for Laurence Fishburne and Andre Braugher in Tuskegee Airmen?
In case you hadn’t noticed, the movies I’ve mentioned all have something in common. They’re positive. What a concept! These films each have a message or a profound story to tell. None of the films I’ve mentioned perpetuate what Hollywood would have you believe about African Americans. Don’t believe me? Then SOMEONE please explain to me how it is that the song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp!” won an Oscar this year???!!!
Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but Black people are so much more that pimps, hoes, drug addicts, drug dealers, Uncle Toms, and dirty cops. And to be perfectly clear: I’m neither suggesting nor implying that there is some mass conspiracy to disparage the general perception of Black people—history has already taken care of that! I just think it would just be nice (for a change) if the Academy recognized that when making a selection where the nominee is African American that they consider that the nominee’s role should be considered an equally powerful performance when the character being played is one that Black folks can be proud of instead of one that all people should disdain. Really...Is that too much to ask?
‘Nough said.
Peace,
+THINKER
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