Slaying the Elephant: The Oscars, Chris Rock, and The Def Awards.

There is a GIANT elephant in the room called Hollywood and on Sunday, February 28^th, Chris Rock tackled that giant and slayed it.

For the most part, nobody should be surprised that this year’s Academy Awards show AKA The Oscars host was going to shake things up as he is known to do but this year was even more culturally significant because of the lack of diversity among the nominees mainly in the acting categories. Of all twenty acting nominations, none were African-American, Latino, Asian or Native American. We all know the backstory by now, Jada and Will Smith boycotting, Tyrese boycotting and demanding that Chris Rock step down form hosting and Al Sharpton leading a protest at the Award Show. That is story.

First of all, let me stress that I agree that Hollywood has a ways to go in representing diversity. There is a lot that needs to be done and needs to be changed. We have so many stories to be told, so many actors that deserve a shot, its unfortunate, and sad and really a loss for Hollywood to not take advantage of such diverse talented actors that represent not just Hollywood but the world. We have a long to way to go. As I said in a previous article I was disappointed that Straight Outta Compton did not receive a Best Picture nomination. It belonged up there. It was an injustice.I understand why Jada and Will and others did not choose to attend the show. I support their decision, but I also support those that chose to attend. 

Chris Rock acknowledges that repeatedly in his monologue. I was impressed with Rock as I always am. He speaks to the awkwardness and speaks on things that sometimes we are too often afraid to say out loud. Listening to his stand up we go, “Damn I was thinking that, but did not have the guts to say it.” That is what Chris Rock does, that is who he is. Expecting him to be less than that, would be asking him not to be true to his art and who he is. Having said that, I did disagree with the Stacey Dash part. It was awkward and she seemed to miss the memo that she was the butt of the joke, but then again that is what makes Chris Rock so brilliant. 

I was disappointed that some people called Chris Rock a sell out for making light of the issue at hand, which is totally wrong. The same way people slam Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, and Taraji P. Henson for playing strong yet very flawed African-American characters saying it creates a wrong image. There will inevitably be actors and activists angry that African-American actors did choose to attend the awards. Everyone from Morgan Freeman to rapper/actor/activist Common was there. I was happy to see that. WHY? Washington said it best to paraphrase. “If I want to elicit change, then I need to have a seat at the table.” Spot on! Why not attend? After all, isn’t this is supposed to be a room of your peers? Is Leonardo Dicarprio not your peer or is it jus Samuel Jackson? The African-American actors attending to me were not saying “I disagree with the other actors not attending” or “I don’t care about it.” It was more about saying… ‘Look I deserve to be here with the likes of Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchet. I deserve to have a seat at this table right next to them. Somehow, people are missing the point.

Some will argue that Chris was wrong for the shade he threw at Will & Jada. Why was he wrong? Will and Jada are public figures who are subject to being the butt of comedian’s jokes just like everyone else. Were people upset when Seth McFarlane shades Tom Hanks? It is what comedians do and he had a good point.

“Jada Pinkett boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rhianna’s panties. I was not invited anyway.”

Some would argue that it was wrong but hey there was a level of truth to it.  As I have said before, I think Jada is great actress and talent. I have been a fan of hers since A Different World. But what has Jada done in the last 10 years? So Jada not attending, what impact would that have? Its not meant to disrespect her, but that is real. By Tyrese not attending, what will that do? I went to bed that night thinking, “Wow, Chris Rock nailed it! He did what he was supposed to do.”

Then morning came…

Enter Tyrese slamming Chris Rock going on a dramatic tirade about how could Rock poke fun at Jada Pinkett, a woman “who is trying to elicit change for her children, your children…(dramatic). What makes Jada Pinkett off limits to Chris Rock’s jabs? I mean Nicole Kidman was not off limits to Seth McFarlane. These are celebrities, its open game. At the end of the day, Jada probably laughed it off anyway.

People calling Chris a “sell out” as well as others who choose to attend. People were throwing shade at those who chose to attend. I think it is completely ridiculous.

Then came the Def Movie Awards…

Fusion TV of which I never heard of until yesterday, decided to come up with a movie awards that celebrates the movie accomplishments of African-Americans. A few of the categories were as follows:

Best Movie Quote of All Time

Person most likely to steal your woman

Best white helper.

Best black survivor scene.

You have got to be kidding me.

This is the answer to the Academy Awards?? “White helper?” My first thought that this was done completely out of spite. Not a good look. How do we expect to be taken seriously? Why not put our energies and focus on the NAACP Image Awards where we celebrate those more? The show was an hour long and perpetuating stereotypes. And probably some were mad because people like Kerry Washington and Morgan Freeman chose not to attend. It looked thrown together. Furthermore to have Tony Rock host when his brother was hosting the Academy Awards? Why do that? Put brother against brother? So it was no longer about making a statement it was about creating controversy, buzz, and garnering ratings.

What is wrong with this picture? What is going on? There has got to be a better way.

I applaud Chris Rock and the actors choosing to attend the Oscars. People ask me why I was not upset about Chris Rock or his speech.

I choose to answer like this.

·       There is the situation in Flint where people don’t have safe drinking water and who purposely given potentially lethal water.
·       Donald Trump who thinks we should “build a wall” to keep Mexicans out, wants to ban all Muslims from coming to the U.S and is being supported by the Ku Klux Klan is the front runner for the highest office in the land.
·       African-Americans males and females are continuing to be prey to a few rogue cops and they continue to get a way with it.
·       The homeless rate continues to increase particularly among our veterans who fought and served for our country.

We got bigger stuff to worry about then who or who does not gets an award.

Ponder that…