Politics and the Academy Awards

Last night’s Academy Awards ceremony contained some of the more politically charged acceptance speeches I have seen in some time.

Patricia Arquette used her Best Supporting Actress win to speak in favor of ecological preservation and against wage inequality. Musical artists Common and John Legend used their win for Best Original Song to bridge the past of the African American Civil Rights Movement to present struggles of human rights. The crew responsible for Best Documentary winner Citizenfour described how the country's democracy is lost when the government spies on citizens with impunity. Adapted screenplay winner Graham Moore spoke directly to young people struggling with societal alienation because of their sexual identity. Finally, the ceremony became a venue to discuss U.S. foreign policy and immigration – either for the better or for the worse.

These issues share a common origin - emanating from governments making decisions that affect the lives of millions of people.  That the producers or director of last night’s broadcast chose not to interrupt these speeches and have the orchestra play off the speakers as their comments drifted towards the political is terrific.  Indeed, parts of last night’s event harkened to a time when cinematic artists used the Academy Awards to promote awareness of serious issues affecting millions of people.  Marlon Brando, for example, famously boycotted the event in 1973 to raise awareness of the plight of Native Americans, while Sacheen Littlefeather explained Brando’s refusal of Best Actor statue for The Godfather.

Certainly, in the decades since, the Oscars ceremony seems to have become an over-produced affair in the hands of network executive control freaks eager to avoid any controversy.  Last night’s proceedings suggest somewhat of a changing environment, but there also seems to be an inherent hypocrisy in all of this.

Twelve years ago, Michael Moore accepted the Best Documentary award for Bowling for Columbine - an excellent film that examines American gun culture and the violence it creates.  During his acceptance speech, Moore criticized the administration of George W. Bush for leading the country into an invasion of Iraq while questioning the legitimacy of Bush’s presidency itself.  While some in the audience applauded, Moore received more jeers than cheers for his comments.  In light of more recent events in Iraq, it seems Moore was ahead of the curve with his observations at the time.

The issues of civil liberties and human dignity that this year’s Oscar  winners highlighted in their acceptance speeches are important and need addressing because they affect us all.  Those among the Hollywood elite and their supporters, however, ought to be mindful that it is much too easy in a free society to applaud someone who advocates for a social issue with an opinion you agree with.  It is braver and more honest to applaud those you do not agree with and who stand for something not because it is popular, but because it is right.