The Trouble With Oscar

The Oscars...
I remember when it was just assumed that they were gonna be shallow. It was funny, because we all knew that, no matter how good his film, Leo would never get an Oscar. We knew that if Jennifer Lawrence was onstage, we could expect a super awkward moment that would make everyone love her all the more. The women would get snippy when asked about the dresses, and cry sexism, despite the fact that they're all wearing gorgeous dresses by renowned designers, and the only reason that this question is asked of the women is that they're all dressed differently. The men are all in suits that basically look the same, and no one cares what they're wearing. 

We'd watch, and we'd laugh at some of the speeches, and cringe at the others. Sometimes the host(s) made us laugh, sometimes we shut off the tv because they were too annoying. It was a frivolous night, and something good to have on in the background. 
And now it's stage for massive controversy. 
I believe strongly in equality. But I think we have grown so obsessed with equality that we're actually becoming more segregated. Maybe it is unfair that there weren't black nominees for the Oscars. I don't know. I haven't watched enough of this year's movies to have any idea about who was in them. Heck, I haven't even heard of several of the movies referenced during the Oscars. I will say though, that I loved Donald Glover's performance in The Martian. It probably wasn't enough screen time to actually get a nomination, but he was brilliant. 

But the more we say that we have to have this minority and that nominated for awards, or on this board, or in this college, the more we give people license to not try, and to simply skate by on their ancestry. Ancestry should not matter in matters like this. I wouldn't want an award simply because they had to give it to someone with my specific bloodlines. No one should be entitled to awards, or recognition, unless they have earned them. Will it happen this way? Probably not. Should Michael B. Jordan have been nominated for an Oscar? Maybe. I've not seen Creed. I really have no interest in seeing Creed. Because I'm racist? No...because I couldn't care less about the movie. 
What do movies actually do to change the world? For the most part, nothing. They give us an escape. They give us a way to see how other people live, and to pretend that we are them. We watch awards shows to see rich and famous people interacting with each other. But really, how genuine is any of it? It's basically like watching another movie, but with fewer explosions and a lot more awkward laughter. 
With the exception of some of the documentaries, there isn't much of substance happening at these shows. That's why people picked apart Leonardo DiCaprio's cringe when Lady Gaga touched him at the Golden Globes. That was trending on fb the day after the Globes. Seriously? We have nothing better than that to talk about?

How about this? How about if the Oscars start making a difference. Instead of a "comedian" up on stage, whining about inequality, why don't they get out there and make things more equal. Instead of spending a fortune on the food, decorations, dresses, and those ridiculous gift bags everyone gets, maybe they should start a not-for-profit that has a goal of bringing people together. Or maybe they should choose an organization that already exists and give the money to them. And instead of the event, every actor/actress who is nominated has to work a set amount of time in the organization. Think of what all of that money and effort could do to change the country. And eventually to change the world. We whine about the rich people not showing enough integration. But they aren't necessarily the people that we should be using as role models, so I don't care if they're integrated or not. I don't agree with 90% of what most of them do/believe in anyway. But if they would use their fame and clout (and insane amounts of money...) to work all throughout the social ladder, that would be huge. 
What do you think the odds are that it'll ever happen? Yeah...I doubt it too. 

And now, at the risk of sounding shallow at the end of this, Congratulations to Leonardo DiCaprio for finally winning an Oscar :~) Pretty sure he should have a long time ago.