http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/9092558/Oscars-voters-finally-unmasked-94pc-white-and-77pc-male.html
This articles highlights a sad trend in the Hollywood film industry. The fact that white males make up a large majority of Oscar voters is reflected in the fact that Halle Berry was the first and only African American woman to have won an Academy award. But it's just the Oscars right? Considering the pervasive nature of media products in our society, I believe this lack of equality sends quite a message to minority groups in the United States. Perhaps if we look deeper into the Hollywood film industry, we might see a trend in the portrayal of minority groups that may only serve to reinforce the cultural hegemony responsible for both the subtle and overt racism existing in American society.
Well written response, Arthur. I agree. I've definitely become more aware of this trend as I get older. Recently, this trend was brought to the limelight when movie director, George Lucas commented on his difficulty in getting Hollywood to support his film, Red Tails. Red Tails is about the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African American fighter pilots in the U.S. military (WWII). But, if someone was unaware of the trends of Hollywood, they could just look at the Oscar audience, nominees, and winners and see the lack of racial diversity.
ReplyDeleteIt is a common misconception that Halle Berry was the first African American woman to win an Oscar. This is false and she definitely is not the only. This isn't common knowledge, though. I knew she wasn't the first and only, but was not sure of all the other female winners before and after her and for what categories. I found the following:
1. Hattie McDaniel was the first African American (man or woman) to win an Oscar. She won in 1939 for Best Supporting Actress in "Gone with the Wind".
2. Irene Cara was the first African American woman to win a non- acting Academy Award (Best Original Song) in 1983 for "Flashdance". She co- wrote the song "Flashdance (What A Feeling)".
3. Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar in 1991 for Best Supporting Actress in "Ghost".
4. Halle Berry WAS the first African American woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress in 2001 for Monster's Ball.
5. Singer/Actress, Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar in 2006 and became the youngest African American actor (man or woman) to win in her category at age 25. She won Best Supporting Actress for "Dream Girls".
6. Comedian/Actress, Mo'Nique is the 4th African American woman to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2009 for "Precious".
Regardless of this fact, historically there is a major racial disparity among Academy Award winners and the Hollywood film industry continues the trend today. Another issue in the film industry is the practice of typecasting "minority" actors and actresses. That's a whole other issue, but all the issues within the film industry are interconnected.
As a person who has been watching the Oscars for the better part of two decades, I have noticed that they are becoming more aware of the talented non-white actors/actresses.
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy to think that black actors have been overlooked, and they have, but the Oscars overlook all other visible minorities too.
I'm personally boycotting the Oscars this years (yes, I know it's a pivotal year for those who support The Help), but I have a lot of issues with what is Oscar worthy. This year in particular, sexism is an issue with me and it broke the camel's back, and I cannot take the Oscars seriously anymore. I will not watch it this year, and I doubt if I ever will care for it again as much as I enjoyed it in the past. With the demographics of AMPAS made public, and it's of no surprise, it just sums up what a farce it all is.
Purple, I am sorry, I should have specified. I meant the first and only African American actress to win an Oscar for Best Actress, but yes you are absolutely right, I just didn't specify what I meant
ReplyDeleteI think one thing that gets overlooked at the Oscars is Hollywood's portrayal of people with disabilities or disorders. It's still a trend that hasn't really gone away and I think the movie "Tropic Thunder" lampooning the idea was probably one of the first times I've seen any sort of criticism towards it in popular culture.
ReplyDeleteI personally have always seen the view that our media portrays whether it be a person of race or a person of class. It's as though the direction of our media is meant to influence ideas about a class of people or a race of people. A specific case is the portrayal of black women which is always a fierce, hostile, and emotionally driven character.
ReplyDeleteI also see a relationship between the stereotypes we adhere to and the roles people play in our society. It's as though we idolize these images and put ourselves in a position, willing, to be possessed by our own thoughts of fulfillment and fitting in to a accepted position.
The things we revolve around make us sick in the head
Okay so I did not see the help, but one reason for that is because on many of the pop culture blogs I follow they really disliked the help and it's seemingly bad portrayal of the African american experience but through the eyes of the white experience. THis is kinda off topic, but here's the review what do you think?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.avclub.com/articles/the-help,60213/