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. 

Lions and Support Systems

Dereck and Beverly Joubert , a couple who made the documentary Soul of the Elephant, were on Ellen the other day. They were talking about Elephants, and how it isn't only elephants that are at risk, but lions, and rhinos, and so many others. Ellen brought up the case of Cecil the lion, who was shot by that piece of crap last year. I think probably the majority of people watching were a little taken aback, as was I, at Dereck's response. He said that on the one hand, it was a terrible thing. But on the other hand, they were pleased that it happened. Going on, he explained that it wasn't that they were glad that Cecil was killed. They were glad that his death brought attention to what has been an ongoing problem. About 600 lions are killed by tourists every day. Some, like Cecil, are poached illegally, some legally. Legal or not, it is wrong and needs to be stopped. Before Cecil, there was a little bit of attention for the problem, and after Cecil, people all over the world were up in arms, trying to get things changed.

As sad as it is, I can understand his point. So many are dying, but maybe this one will be the change.
Social media seems to be bringing this idea to the fore in many areas of life, not only conservation. Previously, we have been a more private culture. If we were going through some sort of medical issue, or dealing with the death of a loved one, we kept quiet about it. Those closest to us knew about it, but others didn't.
Now though, we share what we're going through. You can follow groups that keep you up to date with what they are going through, like Jaxon Strong. You can also follow groups dedicated to those who lost their fight. And on those, for example, Rally for Lily, those left behind form a support group, caring for each other and helping others who are still in the midst of their fight.
You always hope that you're not the one who goes through something horrible. You hope that you're one of the lions that just gets to chill on the Savannah and play Lion King (minus the whole Scar thing....)

But what happens if you're not? What happens if you're one who gets killed? Or, if you're one that deals with a disease or a tragedy? What will you do?
Cecil didn't have a choice. He was killed. He just happened to be a well known lion who was killed, and that was why his death received international attention. There were probably other lions killed the same day Cecil was killed. There were certainly other lions killed during the uproar surrounding his death. But they were unknown lions, and their deaths did nothing to bring attention to the plight of lions.
You do have a choice. You can hide and pretend that nothing is happening, or you can be honest along your journey and hopefully make a difference to someone else going through the same thing. You may be dealing with a physical disease, or something mental, like depression. Perhaps it's relational, and you've lost someone near to you, like the stuff with my brother. Chances are, you're not the only one going through whatever you're going through. You can go it alone and  not help anyone, or you can bring something positive out of whatever your situation is.