In 1940, Hattie McDaniel
became the first black woman to be nominated for, and win, an Oscar. She got
her best supporting actress award by playing Mammy, the jolly house slave in
“Gone With the Wind”. At the ceremony, she was not seated with the rest of the
cast; instead she and her guest sat at a segregated table.
In 1964, Sidney Poitier became
the first African-American male to win the Academy Award for a leading role:
best actor for his performance in "Lilies of the Field."
In 1997, Cuba Gooding Jr. won Best
Supporting Actor in “Jerry Maguire”
2001 when Halle Berry became the
second black woman to win for best actress for her role in Monsters Ball,
joining Denzel Washington, who that same night captured Best Actor for his role
in “Training Day”
2005 Jamie Foxx wins Best Actor
Oscar for his performance in "Ray"
2007, and the race for Oscars in the
key acting categories included five black actors: Forest Whitaker won Best
Actor for "The Last King of Scotland" and Jennifer Hudson won Best
Supporting Actress for "Dreamgirls", Others nominated were Will Smith
for "The Pursuit of Happiness" for best actor, and Eddie Murphy for
"Dreamgirls" and Djimon Hounsou for "Blood Diamond" for
supporting actor.
2010 Mo’Nique won best Supporting Actress in “Precious: Based on
the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”. Gabourey Sidibe was also nominated for Best
Actress but lost out to Sandra Bullock.
Fast forward to 2012
Viola Davis was nominated for best
Actress in “The Help” but lost to Meryl Streep but Octavia Spencer won the
Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in “The Help”
Some are wondering why do we applaud
the Actors and Actresses when they get an Oscar for subservient roles....one
person commented stating, “We should be getting awards for the roles of Heroes
and not roles the stereotype or depict us in a negative light! Why are we
applauding this?”
The central criticism has been
that white-controlled Hollywood is quick to salute black actors, directors and
screenwriters for performances that portray African Americans in a negative
light and less inclined to honor screen depictions that present positive
images.
Where do artists draw the line in
portraying US in film and video? What is the medium and is there one? From
video hoes to maids on film where do we say we will or will not take a role?
Why can’t we just be happy for those Actors and Actresses? Should they not get
recognized simply because of the role that they played or is this just another
way of control to keep them in these roles? I believe these talented Actors and
Actresses earned those awards for bringing to life complex characters. Playing
the cards that are dealt to them, playing negative characters and
characterizations allow actors to flex their creative muscles and utilize their
entire repertoire of skills in order to execute the roles, . If this will mean
more WORK FOR THEM and other talented black actors in Hollywood then what’s the
issue?
Corner Family…What are YOUR
Thoughts…
(Click
on the Link below to join the discussion..)
No comments:
Post a Comment