The Academy Awards: The Class Edition

There has been much discussion about the displays of sexism and racism at Sunday’s 85^th Academy Awards ceremony broadcast.  Much of the criticisms have taken aim at host Seth MacFarlane and the Twitter feed of the satirical newspaper, The Onion. Whatever problems the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has with gender and race that spilled into last night’s telecast, it seems they are less about either gender or race.  Rather, any poorly dim views of race and gender likely are based more in class than in anything else. 

To some extent, the Oscar ceremony is a display of some of the most privileged among us using their wealth and power to throw a lavish, self-congratulatory spectacle for themselves.  The rest of us are asked to witness this display and are expected to share in the revelry of the rich and famous wallowing in their own successes.  In such an environment, is it any wonder that the privileged class holds some of us – like minorities and women - in such contempt?

A look at some of last night’s winners beyond their performances demonstrates how well heeled they are.  Celebritynetworth.com reports that Best Actor winner Daniel Day-Lewis was worth up to $40 million dollars as recently as October 2010.  At about that same time, Best Supporting Actor winner Christoph Waltz was worth $10 million.  As of July 2010, Best Supporting Actress winner Anne Hathaway was worth up to $15 million.  Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence was worth only $2 million as of July 2011.  She earned a mere $500,000 for her role in The Hunger Games, but reportedly will earn $10 million for the next installment of that movie franchise.  Her win last night likely will enable her to demand even more money for any future projects.  And the producers of Best Picture winner Argo?  Ben Affleck was worth as much as $65 million as recently as January 2010.  His co-producer, George Clooney, had a staggering reported net worth of $160 million as recently as January 2011.

Most of us can only imagine the power and privilege that comes with this kind of wealth.  At best, it leads to the kind of self-indulgence demonstrated during the annual awards season.  At worst, it enables an ever-widening gap between filmmakers, actors, and other artists and entertainers and their audiences; who, after all, pay their salaries.