Award Shows have always been much more than glitz and glamour. For some, it’s a way to kill few hours on a Sunday night. For others, it’s a viewing ritual. And for most, it’s a matter of acceptance, acknowledgement and advancement.
The reflection of oneself in the media plays a crucial part in our self-perception. When white actors and actresses are awarded for their roles, whether mediocre or well-deserved, year after year, we are creating a narrative that “white is right.” For years, we have continuously ignored the plight of millions of individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, races and cultures due to the lack diversity among the academy voting members.
One year ago, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted to increase the diversity of its membership, thus allowing a more representative selection of films to be chosen from.
For the first time in history, an actor of color has been nominated in every single acting category at the 89th Academy Awards. In other words, it has taken the Academy 89 years to recognize that people of color are in fact talented, deserving and essentially alive.
The first award of the night went to Mahershala Ali for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Moonlight.” Ali has now become the first Muslim-American to win an Oscar, making this goal seem much more attainable for many.
Viola Davis took home a statue for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for in “Fences,” making her the seventh black actress in 89 years to do so.
Ezra Edelman’s documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” covering one of America’s most notorious and racialized trials, took home Best Documentary Feature.
“The Salesman,” directed by Asghar Farhadi, won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Iranian director refused to attend the ceremony in the protest of Trump’s travel ban.
And after much confusion, “Moonlight,” a film directed, written and composed entirely of a Black cast, took home Best Picture. A coming of age story about a young black man growing up in urban Miami, evolving from an introverted child into a troubled adult that must come to terms with his sexuality, Moonlight is also notably the first LGBT film to win an Oscar.
“I hope it’s inspiring to people, little black boys and brown girls and other folks watching at home who feel marginalized,” said “Moonlight” producer Adele Romanski.
With representation comes celebration. A new generation of boys and girls will soon not have to look in the mirror and question what is wrong with their reflection. They will soon understand that their culture, their people and their stories matter thanks to historic events like the 2017 Academy Awards.
Click here for the complete list of winners.
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