Comments on: Academy President Says She’s “Heartbroken” Over Lack Of Diversity In Oscar Nominees, Promises “Dramatic Steps”

By: lulu

lulu — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

@CIRKUSFOLK Chris Rock called it when he joked about the White BET awards, I\’ve no problem with who votes for the awards my problem is the false assertion that they are in any way a supreme reflection of the definitive best when they\’re actually only reflective of the tastes of a very narrow demographic, if they rebrand as the White BET awards you won\’t hear me complaining. @DJ surely it\’s your prejudices that need checking, your comment suggests that artists of color are somehow lacking in professional talent and excellence, they are in your words, too \’mindless\’ to make considered choices. In response I have to ask what awards show do you think we\’re discussing? The Oscars are already renowned for the mindless way they reward mawkish, sentimental, & quickly forgotten movies, the term Oscar movie is itself code for something sub par in artistic quality, so I question the chaos you foresee and feel it\’s likely a projection of more problematic deep seated beliefs you hold. No one could say Mad Max was well scripted or, aside from the two leads, well acted, in fact it reveled in one dimensional characters, it fails the traditional \’artistic test\’ just by being an action movie, however in its own way it\’s an example of what diversity looks like, because its merit is being weighed with a broader understanding of excellence and without the usual snobbish, archaic, restrictions. Finally @JAMES, all I can say is that someone who feels it appropriate to quote a leading member of the Nazi party in the context of this discussion is not doing the Academy any favors, and I\’m sure it\’s exactly the sort of support they could do without right now.

By: DJ

DJ — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

@Lulu – Subjectivity, even in creative practice and critique, needs to get checked with objective craft and boundary, otherwise, you have mindless, useless chaos.
i.e., as soon as we lose the ability to say — that film, that story is poorly crafted/executed, needs narrative revision, et al. — without superimposing necessarily identity politics, we\’re finished.

By: James

James — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

To paraphrase Herman Goering,"When I hear the word diversity, I reach for my revolver". This is especially true when coming from Spike Lee who has been aptly called "world\’s oldest student filmmaker"

Unfortunately, when a truly worth Black film or performance is blessed with an Oscar, people will think, if not say, "Take your bone and now shut up!"

By: cirkusfolk

cirkusfolk — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

Oh wait, I forgot that when the opinion belongs to a conservative it\’s invalid but when it belongs to a liberal, it\’s all good and nobody better say anything bad about it.

By: cirkusfolk

cirkusfolk — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

I love subjectivity. I just wonder why people such as Spike Lee are questioning the subjectivity of the majority of Academy members. They voted for the performances they subjectively felt were the best of the year. And it\’s now ok to call those other people\’s opinions wrong?

By: lulu

lulu — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

Subjectivity refers to how someone\’s judgment is shaped by personal opinions and feelings instead of outside influences. Subjectivity is partially responsible for why one person loves an abstract painting while another person hates it.

By: lulu

lulu — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

I can\’t believe it\’s coming to this but feels like maybe the definition of subjectivity is necessary.

By: lulu

lulu — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

I\’m wondering re the two commentators above how it\’s possible for them to even get their heads around adult intelligent drama, let alone assess the quality of work, without seeming to have the first idea about subjectivity. Possibly it\’s a sad symptom of white superiority to feel that what they feel, see, think, is the last word on the matter. Surely it\’s time to wake up, diversity means many different eyes, feelings and perceptions that are different to yours, not better, not worse, just different. And that my friends is the point.

By: cirkusfolk

cirkusfolk — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

Wait, so making it an even ten, to allow the "worst of the best" to be nominated, will make this all go away? It wouldn\’t be like those films stand a chance, cough cough Selma, so what\’s the point? Then Spike will be bitching blacks aren\’t winning, just being nominated.

By: alexander young lane

alexander young lane — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:19:40 +0000

The lack of diversity at the Oscars should be addressed by green-lighting more diverse projects, not awarding unworthy work