As you may be aware, there was considerable debate surrounding the 2016 Academy Awards. For the second consecutive year, there was an apparent lack of diversity among Oscar nominees with only white actors getting the nod. The #OscarsSoWhitehashtag circulated throughout social media. The most famous awards show in Hollywood, and the entertainment industry as a whole, came under fire for its lack of race and ethnic diversity. Actors such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Spike Lee, and Don Cheadle boycotted the event.
Below, you will see an ABC news report discussing the controversy:
Next, here is a clip featuring a different view on the issue: (Stacey Dash on Oscars boycott …)
Finally, here is a link to an article about this debate and the question of whether race is linked to aesthetics or “taste.”
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/feb/03/oscars-diversity-2016-favorite-movies-racism-prejudice-aesthetics-taste
Discussion questions:
1. What is your perspective on the controversy? In your response, be sure to include any relevant terms, theories, or concepts from our readings.
2. Do you believe that standards of beauty or attractiveness in the U.S. reflect a preference for Whiteness? In answering this question, locate at least one example from popular culture (a “cultural artifact”) that you can use to support your argument. This could be a commercial, magazine advertisement, music video or song, an article about an actor or model, etc. Remember – you may choose an item that either supports or contradicts the argument. Share a link to your artifact in the discussion.
OTHER LINKS TO USE AS WELL
https://black-face.com
https://www.adweek.com/agencies/a-brief-rundown-of-racism-within-advertising-and-why-its-still-happening-today/