race relations won't be impacted by a Dreamgirls Oscar

Feb 22, 2007

race relations won't be impacted by a Dreamgirls Oscar · by Rafi Kam

It still feels empty unless the White folks give him his props on Oscar night

What if Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, and Forest Whitaker all win Oscars this year?

Well… really what difference would it make if this were to happen? Maybe we would have The Wiz and Mama I Want to Sing in theaters around Christmas of 2008 but otherwise really the world wouldn’t be changed in any significant way.

Hashim goes on to say (bold added by me for emphasis):

Already Hollywood is realizing the mainstream potential of quality Black films, as Lynne d. Johnson noted.

And money is pouring in to cineplexes and production companies who support Black indie films.

And Black theater is doing extremely well on its own terms.

But all of this feels empty unless the White folks give us our props on Oscar night. And if they don’t, then maybe the BET Awards should cut back on the music, and up the statues for the film categories.

Really? Who gives a fuck about any award show anyway. Judging art by committee is tricky and the consensus is that the Academy has made plenty of goofs over its lifespan and most of them not even race-related! Just ask Martin Scorsese.

Really, what’s the difference who wins the Oscars? I assure you that your life won’t change a bit no matter how many of these three particular nominees take home Oscar awards. So stop getting caught up in the hype.

How about instead we consider how the racial divide is influencing the lives of regular people. Eddie Murphy is not regular people. Dude takes invisibility pills and has sex with unicorns and rhinos at Robert Redford’s mountain hideaway.

Besides, I recall three or four black actors and a hip-hop group taking home Oscars just recently. Did it change your life or did it just give you something else to complain about?

Comments for "race relations won't be impacted by a Dreamgirls Oscar"

Thank you.

People talk all kinds of shit about how lame and meaningless the awards shows are, but when their film, actor, or director wins, they act as if it’s proof of quality.

That quote makes me sad. Black people need white people to validate black entertainment/art? Black folks are supposed to feel some kind of pride from Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy winning awards? Really?

— eauhellzgnaw Feb 23, 01:10 AM
Airing me out like you don’t know Delirious by heart. Im the rawest motherfucker in show business. Being black and famous is hard as shit just ask Mike, Dave, Wesley, Chris Tucker, Bobby Brown and Richard Pryor. Fucked up how you gotta be a crooked cop, a spoiled athlete, inject heroin or fuck a white guy to get nominated though huh?

— Eddie Murphy Feb 23, 01:32 AM
that nigga is dumb, Hashim or whatever. That has to be the dumbest reasoning, and the dumbest thing to hinge whitey’s respect for black folks on.

And at the end of the day, if all 3 of them win oscars that night, it will be good for THEM, not black folk. Halle and Denzel won Oscars (for two shitty movies IMO), and I still can’t get a job.

Whattupwiththat, Hashim?

— khal Feb 23, 08:26 AM
my sentiments exactly rafi.

awards are the last thing the black community needs. quality education, affordable housing are a lil higher on MY priority list.

— Vik Feb 23, 04:48 PM
The departed winning the best film-award clearly demonstrates that the world hasnt changed much since the Temptations-era. Although, as long as people make creative culture it will automatically generate love across all social, cultural and ethnic barriers. The force in the mind of the people is far more stronger than any political decisions. And thank lord for that. Now – over to Young Buck.

— SKHG Feb 26, 10:09 AM
“The departed winning the best film-award clearly demonstrates that the world hasnt changed much since the Temptations-era.”

Clearly? I don’t see that being demonstrated at all actually. Can you explain?

— Rafi Feb 26, 10:13 AM
Sorry if I expressed myself carelessly. I can see that know. What I mean is the following:
I think everybody agrees that Last king of Scotland and Dreamgirls ar far better films than The departed. Still Scorceses somewhat flat (although very good of course) movie gets the prize. I dont see any discussion, not here in Sweden anyway, about what we got to learn from movies like LKofS or Dreamgirls. They are seen as pure entertainment (especially Dreamgirls of course), while Scorcese is looked upon as a genius. This makes me somewhat concerned.
I believe that taking culture (not only afro-american culture of course, but a-l-l culture) more serious would create serious gains in other sectors of the society.
Not least economically.
Well, sorry if there were too many words in this comment. And please excuse my poor English.

Best regards,

Staffan

— SKHG Feb 26, 10:47 AM
“I think everybody agrees that Last king of Scotland and Dreamgirls ar far better films than The departed.”

Dreamgirls?! Definitely not. The Last King of Scotland is one you have a far better case for, although I preferred The Departed myself.

— Train Feb 26, 05:09 PM
Funny, I thought Forrest Whittaker was the only thing worthwhile out of all three, here in America Staffan, for academy award recognized movies, commerce and status are whats really being rewarded, not quality. Thats how Russell Crowe beat Denzel Washington for the Hurricane and Denzel beat Russell for A beautiful mind. (to name 1 of 1,000 examples) Other than the def mute suicidal horny Japanese teenager all nominated films got there on that principal. (missed Iwo Jima) Martin Scorsese got a lifetime achievment, Im not hating. In a perfect world Children of Men edges out Scanner Darkly.

— Abe Beame Feb 26, 05:38 PM