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philosslayer

(3,076 posts)
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 07:00 PM Jan 2015

Al Sharpton Calls For Emergency Meeting To Address 'Appalling' All-White Oscar Nominees Read more:

Source: Business Insider

The Rev. Al Sharpton was left fuming mad after the Oscars revealed its all-white list of nominees for this year's Oscar awards on Thursday.

"The movie industry is like the Rocky Mountains, the higher you get, the whiter it gets," Sharpton quipped in a statement released later in the afternoon.

Sharpton, a critic of the lack of diversity in Hollywood, also announced he was holding an "emergency meeting" next week to address the issue.

"I have called an emergency meeting early next week in Hollywood with the task force to discuss possible action around the Academy Awards," he said.



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/al-sharpton-blasts-appalling-oscars-2015-1#ixzz3Ovxq0Q9j

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/al-sharpton-blasts-appalling-oscars-2015-1?google_editors_picks=true



Go Rev. Al!!!!!
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Al Sharpton Calls For Emergency Meeting To Address 'Appalling' All-White Oscar Nominees Read more: (Original Post) philosslayer Jan 2015 OP
WTW Jansen Jan 2015 #1
Oh for fucks sake NV Whino Jan 2015 #2
+1 Botany Jan 2015 #4
in addition to the winners and nominees LTG Jan 2015 #144
Rev Al is making himself look really stupid and petty. Botany Jan 2015 #145
+1 DawgHouse Jan 2015 #18
+100 840high Jan 2015 #35
+ a whole bunch more Myrina Jan 2015 #119
Please! Botany Jan 2015 #3
I watched "Chef" last week! Suich Jan 2015 #10
I thought it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Botany Jan 2015 #13
I watched it twice! Suich Jan 2015 #17
As a divcored dad it really choked me up a few times. Botany Jan 2015 #21
I also... sendero Jan 2015 #106
I LOVE Chef! Telling everyone about it!! :) Cha Jan 2015 #162
One of the best movies I have seen for a long time .... Botany Jan 2015 #168
And, who wouldn't fall in love with the kid?! Cha Jan 2015 #179
"Emergency meeting"? For the Oscars? For Pete's sake what a joke. 7962 Jan 2015 #5
I know AgingAmerican Jan 2015 #123
But we did so well last year with Twelve Years a Slave rocktivity Jan 2015 #6
Equal opportunity does not mean equal outcomes StrongBad Jan 2015 #7
And the Rev wonders why he doesn't get taken seriously gelsdorf Jan 2015 #8
^^ this ^^ Myrina Jan 2015 #120
Why anyone would be opposed to him doing this is beyond me Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #9
Sometimes a racist gets bored and decides to throw a "Rev. Al" into the mix to stir up the others Judi Lynn Jan 2015 #12
Yeah that is what I thought Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #16
You've got it! They get all rabid about him. I see that as odd. n/t Judi Lynn Jan 2015 #23
That's exactly how those posts read. BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #31
I like Rev. Al. Chemisse Jan 2015 #36
In an era, just before the presidential elections, when civil rights and voting rights are being BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #45
Hold on . . . branford Jan 2015 #52
Hold on... BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #59
You claim that the film should stand on its own merits, branford Jan 2015 #72
That would be a Democratic mayor, there is no such thing as a Democrat Mayor Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #76
Congratulations, you caught a typo that did not substantively affect the post. branford Jan 2015 #79
I just find it interesting that you made the same typo that right-wingers purposely make all the time Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #80
I have a couple of thousand posts on numerous topics, branford Jan 2015 #81
Unreal warrant46 Jan 2015 #95
"Academy President Speaks Out on Lack of Diversity Among This Year's Oscar Nominees" Cha Jan 2015 #189
There is still hope! Yay! BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #191
Ava DeVurnay and David Oyelowo were nominated for Golden Globes in their respective Cha Jan 2015 #192
Well, I'd consider it an insult to the President to put him in Sharptons category. 7962 Jan 2015 #39
Yeah, but President Obama is not you. He wouldn't consider it an insult to be put in Sharpton's BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #47
What's the evidentiary basis for your claim that Obama considers Sharpton a "close friend?" branford Jan 2015 #56
It's madness to put Sharpton in the same leftynyc Jan 2015 #98
What is YOUR evidentiary basis for your claim that President Obama doesn't consider Sharpton his BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #113
Sigh . . . branford Jan 2015 #122
And those who list Obama's "underhanded" acts would certainly have a longer one for Sharpton 7962 Jan 2015 #60
Of course they would. You think you're telling anyone anything new?? Pff. BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #110
See post #98 to put things in proper perspective. nt 7962 Jan 2015 #130
I don't need your post to put things in your version of proper perspective. eom BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #146
It wasnt MY post. Someone else posted the facts about Sharptons criminality. But you can ignore... 7962 Jan 2015 #152
Okay. Then I'll add, or any other's. Sharptons greatest crime is speaking out while Black. BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #156
Wow, you're REALLY on the Kool Aid, huh? I guess you arent IN NYC either 7962 Jan 2015 #157
Quinnipiac just released a poll from NYC, including opinions about Al Shartpon. branford Jan 2015 #158
Well said! 7962 Jan 2015 #173
It's beCAUSE I don't live in NYC that I didn't drink, what did you call it? The kool-aid? BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #159
Hate him for "whatever reason?" Are you kidding? branford Jan 2015 #170
Who cares what the Repukes think? harrose Jan 2015 #165
I don't. BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #171
No problem with Rev. Sharpton , kacekwl Jan 2015 #49
Not in my case StrongBad Jan 2015 #68
Have you seen Selma? Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #73
No, not yet. I will eventually though StrongBad Jan 2015 #84
The James Brown movie was much more "award worthy", IMO. 7962 Jan 2015 #153
^^^ exactly. nt hopemountain Jan 2015 #32
Seriously. Hollywood has always unrepresented African Americans and Latinos. I have no FSogol Jan 2015 #33
Hollywood is simply a reflection of American society. If we want to see it changed, it's Chakab Jan 2015 #43
Hollywood is in no way a reflection of American society. It is a reflection of the 18-24 white male FSogol Jan 2015 #103
This^^ is why you get movies in Africa with few africans... Anansi1171 Jan 2015 #155
I agree and I'm glad he continues to call out the disparities in American life. mountain grammy Jan 2015 #42
i agree. nt La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2015 #107
sure thing Snow Leopard Jan 2015 #121
This is ridiculous! Chemisse Jan 2015 #11
So you believe holding a meeting is going too far? Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #19
Holding a meeting... no. not going too far rpannier Jan 2015 #62
An emergency meeting is held to form a rapid response Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #63
Okay rpannier Jan 2015 #66
Since black actors and actresses have won in the past OnePercentDem Jan 2015 #127
He needs to get a life warrant46 Jan 2015 #160
I know this sound silly, but last year I overheard four young white men arguing over 12 Years... Moonwalk Jan 2015 #14
Mellow out, Al Jack Rabbit Jan 2015 #15
Rev. Al does talk about all those problems you mentioned, constantly. Judi Lynn Jan 2015 #22
I'm sure he does. I don't think we can talk about them enough. Jack Rabbit Jan 2015 #24
An emergency meeting and an emergency are not the same thing Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #26
One usually calls an emergency meeting to deal with an emergency Jack Rabbit Jan 2015 #29
If you don't think it is worthy of discussion then don't discuss it Bjorn Against Jan 2015 #30
Thank you. n/t Judi Lynn Jan 2015 #71
Smh.. quibbling over "emergency".. yes, it's a damn Emergency.. so what! Cha Jan 2015 #164
This is a non-starter Android3.14 Jan 2015 #20
oh. please. hopemountain Jan 2015 #34
Who fucking cares? The Oscars are a ridiculous industry circle jerk. They have nothing to do with Chakab Jan 2015 #41
Precisely. 7962 Jan 2015 #61
Nominations and wins are both worth money. Demit Jan 2015 #77
Selma WAS nominated for Best Picture, which is essentially the highest award at the Oscars. BlueEye Jan 2015 #50
I'm not an expert on the subject... NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #53
You can take your "please" and with a quarter you can buy some gum Android3.14 Jan 2015 #58
Or as we used to say in NYC during the early 60s CTyankee Jan 2015 #149
I'm with you. delete_bush Jan 2015 #86
yes! hopemountain Jan 2015 #186
Ok he lost me on this one nt LiberalElite Jan 2015 #25
I love meetings.nt bravenak Jan 2015 #27
Go Rev Al! What makes a "Best Picture"? The Acting, Writing, Directing, Editing, Producing, Etc.. Cha Jan 2015 #166
smdh frylock Jan 2015 #28
He's mad because Selma didn't get more nominations. tclambert Jan 2015 #37
A bunch of white guys in this thread... trumad Jan 2015 #38
Do you know the skin color of all the posters here? NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #69
"White guys" are not allowed to have an opinion branford Jan 2015 #75
A bunch of 'white guys'? How sad. Truly. delete_bush Jan 2015 #78
What are you trying to insinuate? StrongBad Jan 2015 #85
The alert stalkers are back: Sheldon Cooper Jan 2015 #109
yeah I kicked that alert stalkers ass. trumad Jan 2015 #117
lol Go Al! Cha Jan 2015 #167
Just giving the Right more fodder to dismiss him. EEO Jan 2015 #40
The Right doesn't need more fodder to dismiss him - but then again, they won't be able to dismiss BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #44
The Right doesn't need more fodder to dismiss him.. delete_bush Jan 2015 #74
Objective about Rev. Al, like the racists who won't shut up about him? Judi Lynn Jan 2015 #89
And yet they continue to try. Amazing. eom BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #111
Oh, good lord. BlueStater Jan 2015 #46
Sometimes you have to pick you're battles. kacekwl Jan 2015 #48
The 2002 Oscars: Dawson Leery Jan 2015 #51
Who won Best Actress last year? oberliner Jan 2015 #55
Cate Blanchette for that Woody Allen movie i forget the name. m-lekktor Jan 2015 #65
That's right oberliner Jan 2015 #91
Yep. eom BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #115
it was! nt m-lekktor Jan 2015 #131
I take it all the real problems have been solved? NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #54
What a moron OnePercentDem Jan 2015 #57
If he wasn't outraged madville Jan 2015 #70
I'm still waiting for the Latino, Hispanic, Asian, Korena, delete_bush Jan 2015 #83
"Rev' Al is in the top 1% of the 1% OnePercentDem Jan 2015 #97
Really? Emergency meeting. Trying to destroy Social Security and Disability is an emergency. YOHABLO Jan 2015 #64
I'll be curious to see the result of the emergency meeting! m-lekktor Jan 2015 #67
There are a bazillion ways African Americans are getting screwed over that are more important tularetom Jan 2015 #82
Two things that should bring us all together... NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #100
It will accomplish nothing n/t Schmice2 Jan 2015 #87
I haven't taken the Oscars seriously since they snubbed Super Troopers for best movie. Inkfreak Jan 2015 #88
Post removed Post removed Jan 2015 #90
I nominate this the best post of 2015. ..so far. trumad Jan 2015 #92
Thank you! LovingA2andMI Jan 2015 #93
Remember last year? trumad Jan 2015 #94
Too bad your post got trashed warrant46 Jan 2015 #161
A post that talks about the "Hollywood controlled Jewish lobby" is your favorite post of the year Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #125
I noticed that too. NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #129
Did you seriously type "Hollywood controlled Jewish lobby"? NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #99
+10000000 JustAnotherGen Jan 2015 #105
Someone ask the Reverend where all the female Baptist ministers are seveneyes Jan 2015 #96
don't do it Al SummerSnow Jan 2015 #101
Work is nominated for an Oscar by previous winners of Oscars. GreatGazoo Jan 2015 #102
No, it's overwhelmingly old white men. The demographics: Bradical79 Jan 2015 #112
You are nominated by members in your own category GreatGazoo Jan 2015 #114
He's wrong on this one JustAnotherGen Jan 2015 #104
it is appalling and i am glad he is doing something about it. La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2015 #108
Oscar nominations: Did your favorite film get snubbed? You're not alone... NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #116
The Lego people have also called an emergency meeting. Ace Rothstein Jan 2015 #118
Everything is NOT Awesome. n/t christx30 Jan 2015 #137
Would Al have called it "appalling" if it were all-minority? Reter Jan 2015 #124
I'm definitely going to boycott the ceremonies this year. Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #126
Honestly - I can't remember the last time I watched. NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #128
The OP and this entire thread speaks to the utter futility... MrScorpio Jan 2015 #132
Take a step back . . . branford Jan 2015 #133
Dude, please reread my entire post... MrScorpio Jan 2015 #134
I think you missed Mr. Scorpio's point completely. He wasn't implying anything. Raine1967 Jan 2015 #135
I understand the general points of the commenter. branford Jan 2015 #138
You know, Branford, for someone who's been on this site for a year and half... MrScorpio Jan 2015 #139
It's not my obligation to indicate what black leaders would be appropriate branford Jan 2015 #141
Yeah, I get that you don't like Shaprton... MrScorpio Jan 2015 #143
Once again, you seem to ignore the very fact that there was no implication. Raine1967 Jan 2015 #142
Looking forward to that day. Thank you for your solid comments, Mr. Scorpio. n/t Judi Lynn Jan 2015 #136
Great post on a depressing thread full of racist bile. Exultant Democracy Jan 2015 #151
Check this out, MrScorpio.. "This sums it up, perfectly.." Cha Jan 2015 #183
Selma is a superb film..why is it being snubbed? n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #140
It's up for best picture Bradical79 Jan 2015 #147
I don't understand how any film is nominated for best picture and the director of said Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #148
I know what you mean, Jefferson.. What made the film so good that it was nominated for Best Cha Jan 2015 #163
That is how I see it too. Best Picture generally encompasses the director, at the very least. Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #169
President Obama did indeed having a private screening for Selma at the WH.. and there were orgs Cha Jan 2015 #180
Well done, by all...thanks. n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #182
Selma in the White House! Lorraine Toussaint Tweet pic.. Cha Jan 2015 #184
Have you seen the film, Cha? Tremendous, and it is great to see it celebrated this way. n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #185
No, I haven't.. looking forward! David Oyelowo @ the White House.. Cha Jan 2015 #187
Indeed. Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #188
Because it's possible for the sum of the parts... harrose Jan 2015 #172
lol...alrighty Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #174
Okay, whatever.... harrose Jan 2015 #175
No offense...seems to be a poltical rationale behind it to me. n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #176
It may be partly due to Paramount's actions... PoliticAverse Jan 2015 #177
Thank you. Incompetence? It's an excellent film no matter what happens. n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #178
Good for him treestar Jan 2015 #150
Al Sharpton Calls For Emergency Meeting To Address 'Appalling' All-White Oscar Nominees Jhon Smith Jan 2015 #154
Lately only five of the nine movies nominated for Best Picture also get a Best Director nomination. exboyfil Jan 2015 #181
Academy President Speaks Out on Lack of Diversity Among This Year's Oscar Nominees Cha Jan 2015 #190

Jansen

(105 posts)
1. WTW
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 07:17 PM
Jan 2015

This is a strange issue. My impression is that the award can be determined by so many factors that I find it unrealistic to assume there will be an ideal % for the results. So if the Academy is some group of people and their opinions, I don't really know what should be expected of them by the public. Have a better opinion? heh

What possible action could there be? What is the expected outcome?

Would people be satisfied if the nominees were perfectly apportioned by race and gender?

LTG

(215 posts)
144. in addition to the winners and nominees
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 10:24 PM
Jan 2015

The current president of the Academy is Cheryl Boone Isaacs, an African American woman. She has also served on the Academy's Board of Directors for over 20 years.

Ms Isaacs has a BA in political science and after earning it (1971) worked as a flight attendant for Pan Am. A few years later she went to Hollywood and worked in a studio publicity department. In 1984 she had worked her way up to being the Executive Vice President for International Marketing at Paramount Pictures. She is now the President of a public relations and marketing firm. A true American, and Hollywood, success story. She has been recognized for her talents, abilities and intelligence, the things that are inside of her. She is also among the first people at the Academy with whom he'll be meeting.

Having said all that, problems still exist in all segments of our society, including Hollywood. I'm just not sure that this is worth taking the attention away from the criminal justice system when it was finally getting some significant traction. The bigotry there is finally getting the wide spread and diverse attention and action that it needs if it is to ever change. The pressure needs to be kept up and increased not shifted to a new topic, even if briefly.

Botany

(70,291 posts)
145. Rev Al is making himself look really stupid and petty.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 10:33 PM
Jan 2015

12 Years a Slave won best picture w/a person of color as the producer,
best writing with a person of color, best supporting actress with a person
of color, and the male lead was up for best actor and he was of color too
and that was just last year.

BTW Selma is up for best picture and last time I checked the producer,
Oprah Winfrey was an A.A..

Botany

(70,291 posts)
13. I thought it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:00 PM
Jan 2015

The whole thing was put together very well from the acting, to the writing,
to the music, and to the cinematography. Sure it was more of a comedy but
I really thought it was very good.


BTW Dustin Hoffam has a future in acting and John Leguizamo should have
been picked for best supporting actor.

Suich

(10,642 posts)
17. I watched it twice!
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:11 PM
Jan 2015

Great behind the scenes look at what goes on in the "back of the house" in restaurants.

"El Jefe" was awesome! I agree, music and cinematography were outstanding.

Could the son have been any cooler???

Botany

(70,291 posts)
21. As a divcored dad it really choked me up a few times.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:20 PM
Jan 2015

.... my son who is now 19 went w/me as I saw it a second time.

The times when the father and son were spending time together especially
when they were in New Orleans together going to the markets and getting
beignets was really well done.

So in protest I will not watch the A.A. this year ...... BTW I almost never watch
'em.

Suich

Botany

(70,291 posts)
168. One of the best movies I have seen for a long time ....
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 08:14 PM
Jan 2015

.... the acting was great, the cinematography was tops, the music both the latin music and the blues were
spot on, it was well written, and funny yet really touching at the same time.

because the academy didn't even gove it "a sniff" I am not going to the awards show this
year no matter how many beautiful movie stars they offer me and tnhey can keep their
suit and gulfstream jet ride too.

Cha

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
5. "Emergency meeting"? For the Oscars? For Pete's sake what a joke.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 07:30 PM
Jan 2015

Its a stupid awards show. It only matters to a bunch of self important actors. Spend your time on relevant issues.
Of course, he'll make demands and probably ask for money or board positions.

rocktivity

(44,555 posts)
6. But we did so well last year with Twelve Years a Slave
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 07:39 PM
Jan 2015

Last edited Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:37 PM - Edit history (1)

Such an ingrate he is!


rocktivity

P.S. The Twelfth Annual "You Call This NEWS?" Awards have been posted.

gelsdorf

(240 posts)
8. And the Rev wonders why he doesn't get taken seriously
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 07:41 PM
Jan 2015

He's worried about the Oscar's while SSD is under attack, the cops are out of control, wages are stagnant. C'mon Al, pick your battles, this one isn't it.

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
9. Why anyone would be opposed to him doing this is beyond me
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 07:42 PM
Jan 2015

The truth is that the Academy that votes on the nominations is overwhelmingly white and male and they just denied nominations to a black director and black actor who had previously been considered shoo-ins.

In the entire history of the Oscars only four women have even been nominated for Best Director and only one has won, Ava Duvernay would have been the first black woman ever nominated and she deserved it over at least a few of the other nominees.

I don't see why anyone would be opposed to calling a meeting to address these disparities.

Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
12. Sometimes a racist gets bored and decides to throw a "Rev. Al" into the mix to stir up the others
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 07:57 PM
Jan 2015

who post here.

I was around when they used to mock Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at any and all opportunities. Martin Luther King jokes, snickers, filthy names, associating him with "commies" and god knows what else. We saw where that kind of filth takes people. They probably were broken hearted until Jesse Jackson appeared on the scene, then they were off to the races all over.

Once they felt they had Rev. Al in a tight spot, they all knew they would give each other a free ride until they all dropped dead of twisted, sociopathic hatred.

I have never been wrong about one of these threads started when someone wanted to take a good hard kick at African-American people, all others who support them, and Rev. Al. There will be another one who's there to take Rev. Al's place when he dies, unless the human race experiences a miracle and is cleansed overnight.

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
16. Yeah that is what I thought
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:09 PM
Jan 2015

It has nothing to do with holding a meeting about the lack of diversity among Oscar voters and nominees, it has everything to do with their personal animosity against Al Sharpton.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
31. That's exactly how those posts read.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:07 PM
Jan 2015

They have a personal gripe against Al Sharpton. He, along with President Obama and Eric Holder, are not popular people on DU. I wonder why that is...

Chemisse

(30,793 posts)
36. I like Rev. Al.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:25 PM
Jan 2015

But for him to go and make a very public complaint about who got this year's awards just strikes me as silly. The Oscars group is under no obligation to be fair or balanced in its choices. It could award everybody whose name starts with an S if they felt like it.

It will also backfire. There is no way to prove bias, so it will look like sour grapes.

A little grumbling would have been enough to get us all thinking (I know it started me wondering when I heard it on the news tonight), and pressure would be exerted on the group for next year.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
45. In an era, just before the presidential elections, when civil rights and voting rights are being
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 10:11 PM
Jan 2015

systematically taken away from Blacks, you don't think the movie Selma should get more kudos from one of the biggest award events in America? Really?

And a little grumbling didn't work to get people out to vote against more Republican power in Congress, so why do you think they'd care if they grumbled a little that this incredible Black woman and director of Selma didn't even get a nom?

Sometimes you really need to make a BOOM in order to have ADD-afflicted Americans pay attention that we're losing our civil rights one State at a time. Rev. Al is doing just that, and we should commend him for doing it, not excoriate him.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
52. Hold on . . .
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 10:54 PM
Jan 2015

Are you stating that Selma deserves Oscar nominations simply because of institutional racism and because of the need make Americans "pay attention" to losses of civil rights?

The only reason why Selma should receive any Oscar nominations is if the acting, directing, etc. of the movie was sufficiently good and notable to deserve such nominations as compared to its peers this year. The Academy is under no obligation, legal or moral, to nominate any film because it advances certain political interests.

I can appreciate the complaint that Selma was actually deserving of nominations because of merit, although it's hardly the first film to get snubbed. However, if the argument is that the film deserved nominations primarily because it concerned minority issues without regard to individual merit or this year's competition, you will certainly not have my support, nor I would imagine much of anyone else.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
59. Hold on...
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 11:38 PM
Jan 2015

NO WHERE did I say that the Academy is "under obligation" to nominate a film that can advance certain political interests. That's what YOU make of it. Selma should get Oscar nominations simply because it's a powerful movie directed by a BLACK woman - a first in our history - and it is an incredibly moving film based on historical events some Americans, apparently, don't want to be reminded of.

That said, [font color="red"]IN AN ERA WHEN CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE[/font] is being systematically taken apart across the country, Selma would have been THE movie of the year to promote. They had NO problem with Schindler's List, and I didn't even like the movie. It was BORING. But I understood they needed to send a message - a POLITICAL message. And they did.

If you believe the Academy doesn't nominate movies based on current events or in order to send a POLITICAL message, I have a bridge in Gravina, Alaska I'd like to sell you. Dirt cheap, too.

The message they've sent now on Selma is, "meh". We'll nominate the movie - we've got to do our due diligence here - but the FIRST Black FEMALE director gets nada. Selma is an incredibly well directed, well-acted, and powerful movie that has the people who have seen it in tears by the time they leave the theaters. But Ava DuVernay get's shut out from the nominations??

The scene with Oprah Winfrey, when she goes to register to vote and is "poll-taxed" by some obnoxious White Southerner is heartrending. When she tells him that the papers are in order, he rudely interrupts her and tells her that HE will decide if they're in order. And they were. Then he tells her that she had to recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, and when she got it down perfectly, he then made her tell him how many county judges there were, and when she answered that correctly, he then demanded that she name them - something I'm certain not even he knew. When she couldn't, her right to register to vote was DENIED. That scene alone broke my heart, but it also reminded me of the voter suppression laws being signed into law all across the Red States since 2010.

But it doesn't matter that the first BLACK FEMALE director has been snubbed (Selma has received a nomination for Best Picture - I thought you'd know at least that much but it doesn't appear you do) or that the actor who portrays Martin Luther King Jr. had been snubbed, because the uproar for being snubbed is getting a LOT of coverage...and we can thank Rev. Al Sharpton for that.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
72. You claim that the film should stand on its own merits,
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:27 AM
Jan 2015

and then proceed to explain why it should have received additional nominations because it suits your political preferences (including using all caps in bright red).

Your prior post did not discuss the merits of the film, only politics, and even now the merits appear secondary.

Films get snubbed all the time in some or even all categories. I haven't yet seen any evidence that Selma's dearth of nominations besides best picture, which itself is very significant, is the result of any racial animus.

If you wish to credit Al Sharpton for the coverage of Selma's lack of nominations, so be it, but I would attribute it more to simple surprise. More importantly, what's Sharpton's "emergency meeting" supposed to accomplish other than inflame racial tensions?

In any event, as compared to Sharpton's past interventions such as Crown Heights, Freddy's Fashion Mart or the Korean grocery boycotts, I should be thankful that this meeting is at least unlikely to lead to bloodshed or help destroy a NYC Democrat mayor.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
79. Congratulations, you caught a typo that did not substantively affect the post.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:54 AM
Jan 2015

Now, would you care to offer any comment on the post itself?

For instance, do you have any proof of racial animus for the lack of Selma's nominations? Or, maybe you can describe the anticipated positive effects of Sharpton's "emergency meeting?" Do you believe that these meeting will result in additional nominations for the movie or actually improve racial relations, opportunities or outcomes?

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
80. I just find it interesting that you made the same typo that right-wingers purposely make all the time
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:02 AM
Jan 2015

I am not looking to debate about Al Sharpton with you, I just think that if you are going to post on this site you should try to avoid the same grammatical mistakes that the right-wing makes on purpose.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
81. I have a couple of thousand posts on numerous topics,
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:23 AM
Jan 2015

and that particular post evidenced no Republican position or anything that wasn't already expressed by numerous other posters in the thread. Implying some "right wing" involvement or agenda is not only insulting, but lazy.

With all due respect, as this thread amply demonstrates, one can be a loyal and liberal Democrat, yet still believe the racial composition of Oscar nominees is of no national import, and certainly doesn't warrant an "emergency meeting," the fact that Selma only received one nomination might not be the result of any racial animus, that a film should not receive nominations to please political constituencies, and that Al Sharpton is a reviled figure who's considered very racially divisive by many people in our party based on numerous and well publicized incidents, particularly involving other core Democratic constituencies like Jews and Asians.

Simply, Sharpton's anticipated meeting will likely be a minor news story, at best, or if he employs his old attention-seeking tactics, will actually worsen racial relations over nothing more than movie without any evidence of actual bigotry.

Cha

(295,909 posts)
189. "Academy President Speaks Out on Lack of Diversity Among This Year's Oscar Nominees"
Sun Jan 18, 2015, 10:38 PM
Jan 2015

Just saw this.. decided to put it here,too, BlueCaliDem..

snip//

The first black president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has spoken out about the outrage surrounding the lack of diversity among this year's slate of Oscar nominees – and says the Academy is taking steps to address it going forward.

"In the last two years, we've made greater strides than we ever have in the past toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization through admitting new members and more inclusive classes of members," Cheryl Boone Isaacs told the Associated Press Friday evening. "And, personally, I would love to see and look forward to see a greater cultural diversity among all our nominees in all of our categories."

MOre..
http://www.people.com/article/academy-awards-president-cheryl-boone-isaacs-oscars-diversity



BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
191. There is still hope! Yay!
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:31 AM
Jan 2015

Thanks for this, Cha.

We cannot allow a creeping exclusion of people of color in any of our largest award events when they're so incredibly talented and more than deserve to be nominated for their work. NO ONE believes that the first Black female director, Ava DeVurnay, doesn't deserve to at least be nominated. And when we take into account that the 2015 Academy Awards will be the first in two decades to only nominate White contestants, it looks as if excluding people of color was pre-planned, especially since Selma is such a powerful movie.

Cha

(295,909 posts)
192. Ava DeVurnay and David Oyelowo were nominated for Golden Globes in their respective
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 02:09 AM
Jan 2015

categories, BCDem. So, they recognized how incredible great they were!

It's strange for the Director and none of the actors in a Best Picture nominee not to be nominated and I'm really glad People are speaking out about the glaring lack of diversity. #oscarsowhite

You're Welcome





 

7962

(11,841 posts)
39. Well, I'd consider it an insult to the President to put him in Sharptons category.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:45 PM
Jan 2015

I cant think of a ingle underhanded thing the President has ever done.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
47. Yeah, but President Obama is not you. He wouldn't consider it an insult to be put in Sharpton's
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 10:16 PM
Jan 2015

category because he considers Rev. Sharpton a close friend.

And as for not being able to think of a single underhanded thing the president has ever done, that would depend on what you believe is underhanded. What one person things is underhanded isn't what another think it might be. Republicans and other people who can't stand this president would easily rattle off a list of underhanded things they believe the president has done for you. People with more than half a working brain would wholeheartedly disagree with that list, but good luck trying to convince them otherwise.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
56. What's the evidentiary basis for your claim that Obama considers Sharpton a "close friend?"
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 11:17 PM
Jan 2015

Someone who's politically convenient, even an ally, does not equal the level of intimacy and trust of a "close friend." Valerie Jarrett is a close friend, Al Sharpton is occasionally useful.

I would also note that the number of active and loyal Democrats, both on DU and nationally, that have a "gripe" against Al Sharpton is exponentially larger than those who take issue with the president or AG Holder.

As you inquire, I wonder why that is . . .?

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
98. It's madness to put Sharpton in the same
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 08:50 AM
Jan 2015

category as the President and Attorney General. Sharpton is a race baiter who nearly tore NYC apart in the 80s with his nonsense with Tawana Brawley

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawana_Brawley_rape_allegations

As far as I'm concerned he got Yankel Rosenbaum killed:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Heights_riot

He is still incredibly unpopular in NY (as shown just yesterday in the Quinnipiac poll) and we have very good reason to consider him nothing but a shit stirrer and tax evader.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
113. What is YOUR evidentiary basis for your claim that President Obama doesn't consider Sharpton his
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 11:45 AM
Jan 2015

close friend? See? Two can play that game, branford.

"I would also note that the number of active and loyal Democrats, both on DU and nationally, that have a "gripe" against Al Sharpton is exponentially larger than those who take issue with the president or AG Holder. "


What is your evidentiary basis for that claim?
 

branford

(4,462 posts)
122. Sigh . . .
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:58 PM
Jan 2015

You're the one that made the claim that the president and Sharpton are good friends, now back it up. Moreover, demanding that I prove a negative is just puerile and lazy.

Are you also seriously suggesting that a similar or even fewer number of Democrats have a low opinion of Sharpton as the president or AG Holder? Nevertheless, if you want some evidence of Sharpton's egregiously poor approval ratings, you need simply refer to the Quinnipiac Poll from yesterday from very blue and diverse NYC which has been widely cited. Sharpton's overall approval among Democrats in NYC is only 38% (and dropping, with 29% total approval), and only managing a 56% approval from blacks (16% and 26% approval among whites and Hispanics, respectively). Sharpton's popularity certainly does not increase outside of his home city, and Obama and Holder's numbers have never been so low, no less among our own party.

Sharpton has been an extremely divisive figure for decades, often at the expense of core Democratic constituencies such as Jews, Asians and gays. You are certainly free to like or respect him, but it's disingenuous not to acknowledge why an unequivocal majority of everyone might hold a far different opinion.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
60. And those who list Obama's "underhanded" acts would certainly have a longer one for Sharpton
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 11:39 PM
Jan 2015

I know plenty of folks who dont think the President has done anything underhanded. I dont know of anyone who thinks Sharpton HASNT done many underhanded things. The courts agree. Well, I guess YOU dont think so, so thats one.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
110. Of course they would. You think you're telling anyone anything new?? Pff.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 11:19 AM
Jan 2015

As for the courts...is it your opinion that they're always right? I mean, were they right to give Bush the presidency in 2000? Were they right to gut the Voting Rights Act? Were they right when they decided that the PPACA was unconstitutional?

Come on.

It's not hard to cite a dozen or more cases in which the courts erred, egregiously - even to the point that it cost innocent people's lives. I don't put much stock nor confidence in the American justice system, and Black and Latino people will tell you why you shouldn't, either.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
152. It wasnt MY post. Someone else posted the facts about Sharptons criminality. But you can ignore...
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 02:24 PM
Jan 2015

Your only defense is that sometime courts get it wrong. Which is pretty weak, considering the mountain of evidence that Big Al is a crook on many levels.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
156. Okay. Then I'll add, or any other's. Sharptons greatest crime is speaking out while Black.
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 02:51 PM
Jan 2015

It's a-okay for others to do the same or worse, just as long as they have the right skin color, the preferred skin color. But Sharpton should keep his mouth shut and not act so uppity because he's not of the preferred skin color, is he?

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
157. Wow, you're REALLY on the Kool Aid, huh? I guess you arent IN NYC either
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 03:26 PM
Jan 2015

Just fall back on the sad old "its just because he's black" nonsense. Sharpton is almost the equal of david duke. There are THOUSANDS of activists who would be a much greater aid to getting the word out about equality and diversity. He pushes people away.
I'll bet that this "emergency" goes away as soon as AL gets money or positions of some sort. Because thats what he ALWAYS does.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
158. Quinnipiac just released a poll from NYC, including opinions about Al Shartpon.
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 03:57 PM
Jan 2015
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-york-city/release-detail?ReleaseID=2124

Even here in his home town and political base, gets a negative 29 - 53 percent favorability, his lowest score ever, and voters say 51 - 37 percent that he is a mostly negative force in the city, also his worst score. He even only scores a 56% approval with blacks in the city (See, Question 12).

It's not my place to tell the African-American community who they should follow or respect, but Sharpton's history and comments have unequivocally rendered him toxic to incredibly wide swaths of America, including liberal groups like Jews and Asians who are normally very supportive of civil rights issues and initiatives. If someone's only response to events like Twana Brawley, Crown Heights, Feddy's Fashion Mart, and the Korean grocery boycotts, to just name a few, is that Sharpton is criticized "just because he's black," it demonstrates political tone-deafness and is often quite insulting to those groups personally affected, often violently, by his rhetoric and actions. Sharpton is not reviled because he's black, he's reviled because of his own repeated and long-standing actions and statements.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
159. It's beCAUSE I don't live in NYC that I didn't drink, what did you call it? The kool-aid?
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 05:21 PM
Jan 2015

You're simply predisposed to hate the man for whatever reasons you may hold, but ask yourself...do you actually think the Black community would keep him if he were as corrupt as you would love to make him out to be? I'm certain you don't believe they're ignorant or something, right?

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
170. Hate him for "whatever reason?" Are you kidding?
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 08:52 PM
Jan 2015

I will not presume to tell the Black community who they should follow or why. You inquire if the Black community is "ignorant" to follow him. Why they follow him is irrelevant, and I will not seek to read anyone's mind. Just because some (although certainly not all, as the Quinnipiac poll demonstrates) Blacks consider him a leader, it does not grant him trust or respect among anyone else.

Sharpton has a decades long, very public and quite notorious history involving a number of scandals, some of which are connected with actual loss of life (notably Jews). You or others are free to ignore or excuse these events for "whatever reasons" you choose, but to handwave them away as if they did not happen or are of no consequence, is ludicrous and insulting. Let me ask you, are you claiming that the clear majority (and increasing) number of people who disapprove of Sharpton are "ignorant or something?"

Many of his defenders, and even some his allies and current employers on MSNBC, at least acknowledge his "problematic" past, but defend him by claiming he's now mellowed or matured. You, on the other hand, outrageously pretend that his skeletons essentially don't even exist.

harrose

(380 posts)
165. Who cares what the Repukes think?
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 07:59 PM
Jan 2015

Seriously. They're just a bunch of mindless troglodytes who are just out to benefit themselves. Do you really care what they think?

 

StrongBad

(2,100 posts)
68. Not in my case
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:11 AM
Jan 2015

I like Rev. Al a lot. I used to watch his show all the time on MSNBC.

But I can't agree with this type of activism. It's basically saying give some Oscars to black people just because they're black.

If we truly believe in equality, we should hold the possibility that the actors he's protesting for were not nominated because they were not strong enough in their respective categories. Is that so outlandish of a thought?

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
73. Have you seen Selma?
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:30 AM
Jan 2015

Nobody is saying that Selma should get more nominations just because it was made by black people, they are saying it should get more nominations because it is a truly great film. Just look at the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes where it has a score of 99% ranking it among the best reviewed movies of all time. The movie was extremely powerfully acted and directed and for it to not get nominated in those categories is a major snub. This is a movie that is praised by nearly everyone who watches it and it was widely expected to be among the frontrunners in the Oscar race, I don't think anyone predicted it would only receive two nominations.

 

StrongBad

(2,100 posts)
84. No, not yet. I will eventually though
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:55 AM
Jan 2015

Given the universal acclaim I'm sure it doesn't suck and is most likely worth watching especially given the content.

But a movie could be great while the actors are only good or very good. Doesn't seem inconceivable that it could be a great film with solid actors but not Oscar worthy actors.

FSogol

(45,357 posts)
33. Seriously. Hollywood has always unrepresented African Americans and Latinos. I have no
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:12 PM
Jan 2015

problem with Rev Sharpton addressing Hollywood's shortcomings.

 

Chakab

(1,727 posts)
43. Hollywood is simply a reflection of American society. If we want to see it changed, it's
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:58 PM
Jan 2015

it would be much better focus on institutional discrimination that affects common people.

FSogol

(45,357 posts)
103. Hollywood is in no way a reflection of American society. It is a reflection of the 18-24 white male
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 10:06 AM
Jan 2015

buying power with some art, romances, and indie films thrown in. If Hollywood actually looked at their demographics, they'd realize that they are ignoring large segments of their audience. Google any web page on movie demographics.

Anansi1171

(793 posts)
155. This^^ is why you get movies in Africa with few africans...
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 02:47 PM
Jan 2015
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=%253Fw%253D670%2526h%253D351%2526crop%253D1&imgrefurl=http://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-star-john-boyega-tells-haters-to-get-used-to-it-1201367291/&h=351&w=670&tbnid=vpGMl1yqeHsX1M:&zoom=1&docid=ipNDfQer3gMRRM&hl=en-US&ei=Q6u6VPOQE5KfyAS014H4Dw&tbm=isch&client=ms-android-boost-us&ved=0CCcQMygDMAM

..and freak-outs when said demographic's racial norming isnt as expected.



http://m.


But the playas gonna play play play...and the haters gonna hate hate hate...

Lol...oh the IRONY is side-splitting!



mountain grammy

(26,571 posts)
42. I agree and I'm glad he continues to call out the disparities in American life.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:58 PM
Jan 2015

Every aspect of American life.

 

Snow Leopard

(348 posts)
121. sure thing
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:59 PM
Jan 2015

I hope he demands an audience with the Olympic committee too to address on the lack of whites competing in the men's 100 metre sprint, let alone winning it. And the NBA!!! Holy smokes, it is predominantly black, yet blacks only make up about 20% of the population. Must be some racism there too!

The implication that because the academy is overwhelmingly white and male, that it is racist or sexist is just a little disgusting.

I oppose him for playing the race card at every opportunity he can.....as long as it is blacks he feels have been slighted.

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
19. So you believe holding a meeting is going too far?
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:16 PM
Jan 2015

Can you explain to me why the line should be drawn at comments to the media? What makes holding a public meeting about a topic in the news ridiculous, and why does the meeting cross the line you have drawn?

rpannier

(24,304 posts)
62. Holding a meeting... no. not going too far
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 11:48 PM
Jan 2015

Holding an 'emergency' meeting... a bit much
the emergency being what?

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
63. An emergency meeting is held to form a rapid response
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:00 AM
Jan 2015

You are taking the word emergency too literally, he is just saying he wants to address the issue right away.

 

OnePercentDem

(79 posts)
127. Since black actors and actresses have won in the past
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 03:56 PM
Jan 2015

And it is well know Hollywood is very left of center, what exactly does he desire. Does he want to put some black actors in the nominated category even though it was not deserved?

The guy is a tool and an embarrassment to good democrats everywhere.

Moonwalk

(2,322 posts)
14. I know this sound silly, but last year I overheard four young white men arguing over 12 Years...
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:03 PM
Jan 2015

They said: "'Gravity' should have won! Obama is president after all. Isn't that enough?"

I promise you, that they honestly believed that 12 Years won over (their opinion) the far superior "Gravity" ONLY because it was a "black" movie. These were young men, not, from what I could tell Foxbots, but wannabe Hollywood types. They would undoubtedly view themselves as liberals...but they honestly did not know better.

I would bet money, by the way, that they hadn't even bothered to go see "12 Years." That, or they were too dense to value amazing acting, incredible screenwriting—and subtly powerful direction over 3-D outer space effects. Impressive enough, granted, for best picture nomination, but not for a win over an opus like "12 Years."

So, yes, it sounds silly on the surface—and I'm not saying it's a good idea for Sharpton to make this kind of deal out of this. If you want to argue that he's going about this wrong, that's fair. However, I think there's validity to the complaint and to seeing it as a symptom of a larger issue. Meaning the feeling that when black actors, directors, screenwriters get awards they're token gestures, not genuine. And this is a feeling not just of old white Fox News watchers, but of young white voters who are going into the movie business.

They clearly felt the same about Obama, in spite of his double win. That he was president as a token gesture, not because he honestly deserved it. And that is a very real and troubling problem. There can't be true equality if every time a woman or a non-white fairly earns something it's dismissed as unfairly earned.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)
15. Mellow out, Al
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:03 PM
Jan 2015

I pay little attention to Hollywood these days and don't think I could name a film that's come out in the last year, let alone which ones were nominated for Oscars. I suppose there are some performances by an actor of color that are award-worthy. The fact that I can't name one doesn't mean there isn't. Besides, Oscar often gets it wrong and we accept that. The fact that it walked away with with six Oscars doesn't make Forrest Gump a good movie. In fact, I think it's downright dreadful.

I'd rather talk about the emergencies like income inequality, which generally affects all Americans who aren't rich and crooked, but probably affects blacks in particular. Another emergency is the broken justice system, which we all know damn good and well is affecting Afro-Americans adversely. Have an emergency meeting about recalling St. Louis County DA Robert McColluch or what can be done to make the racist New York City union boss Patrick Lynch shut his mouth. I'll pay more attention to that.

Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
22. Rev. Al does talk about all those problems you mentioned, constantly.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:27 PM
Jan 2015

You can catch him on his hour on MSNBC every day at 6:00 p.m., EST.

He's not exactly superficial in his "take" on the black experience.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)
24. I'm sure he does. I don't think we can talk about them enough.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:37 PM
Jan 2015

Who is nominated for an Oscar and who isn't still is not a subject with which one would normally use a word like emergency.

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
26. An emergency meeting and an emergency are not the same thing
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:42 PM
Jan 2015

If you want to organize a rapid response you call an emergency meeting, that is far different than declaring a state of emergency.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)
29. One usually calls an emergency meeting to deal with an emergency
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 08:48 PM
Jan 2015

Otherwise, it's just a meeting.

I only think Rev. Sharpton is guilty of hyperbole and don't think either the hyperbole or the Oscars are worth any more discussion.

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)
30. If you don't think it is worthy of discussion then don't discuss it
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:02 PM
Jan 2015

You don't get to decide for others what is or not worthy of discussion however.

hopemountain

(3,919 posts)
34. oh. please.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:15 PM
Jan 2015

not one african american or person of any other color than white was nominated. it is high time the issue of bigotry from the screen actors guild is addressed once and for ALL.

 

Chakab

(1,727 posts)
41. Who fucking cares? The Oscars are a ridiculous industry circle jerk. They have nothing to do with
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:54 PM
Jan 2015

actual merit. Most of the members of the Academy don't even watch the films that they are voting on. The whole thing is about industry politics.

It boggles people who aren't involved in the film industry take this nonsense seriously at all.

 

Demit

(11,238 posts)
77. Nominations and wins are both worth money.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:42 AM
Jan 2015

So, not nonsense. ESPECIALLY to the people in the industry.

BlueEye

(449 posts)
50. Selma WAS nominated for Best Picture, which is essentially the highest award at the Oscars.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 10:48 PM
Jan 2015

And it might well win. So it's not like "Selma" is being totally ignored.

Also, this is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, NOT the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
53. I'm not an expert on the subject...
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 11:07 PM
Jan 2015

but I don't think the Screen Actor's Guild nominates the choices for the Academy Awards. They have a SAG show, which is entirely separate.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
149. Or as we used to say in NYC during the early 60s
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 11:20 AM
Jan 2015

"that and fifty cents will get you a ride on the BMT."

delete_bush

(1,712 posts)
86. I'm with you.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 02:01 AM
Jan 2015

As I see it, the only way to deal with this bigotry is to do away the with the awards once and for all. After all, how can one police the anonymous voters? Do we know who they are? Probably a higher percentage of Jews relative to the general population.

The only way to ensure this is a non-bigoted event is to award everyone an Oscar. Otherwise, cancel this affront to human dignity!

Cha

(295,909 posts)
166. Go Rev Al! What makes a "Best Picture"? The Acting, Writing, Directing, Editing, Producing, Etc..
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 08:01 PM
Jan 2015

tclambert

(11,080 posts)
37. He's mad because Selma didn't get more nominations.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 09:41 PM
Jan 2015

It was nominated for best picture, but the director, Ava DuVernay, did not get nominated for best director, and David Oyelowo wasn't nominated for best actor.

Here's a solution to the emergency: Let Kanye West present the awards for best director and best actor and let nature take its course.

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
69. Do you know the skin color of all the posters here?
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:18 AM
Jan 2015

Does their skin color matter?

You are making some fairly racist assumptions.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
75. "White guys" are not allowed to have an opinion
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:34 AM
Jan 2015

about the Selma Oscar nominations or the value or effect of Sharpton's "emergency meeting?"

Moreover, if you believe that only Republicans have a dismal opinion Al Sharpton or believe that the Selma nominations do not warrant "emergency" political intervention, you need to speak with many more Democrats.

delete_bush

(1,712 posts)
78. A bunch of 'white guys'? How sad. Truly.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:50 AM
Jan 2015

Disagree with one who's among other things an anti-Semite (Sharpton) and you're automatically a Republican.

Wow. You really wear a narrow vision set of blinders.

Oh, and just to make sure your worthless stereotype confirms your bias? Yeah, I'm a white guy.

 

StrongBad

(2,100 posts)
85. What are you trying to insinuate?
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 02:01 AM
Jan 2015

That as a white man I don't have a right to express my opinion on this topic?

Or that because I'm someone that thinks nominating a black actor solely on the fact that they're a black actor sounds a little odd, I'm a Republican?

Or both?

Sheldon Cooper

(3,724 posts)
109. The alert stalkers are back:
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 11:00 AM
Jan 2015
ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Just reverse the races - see if it's disruptive then.

Tired of this.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Jan 16, 2015, 09:52 AM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: White privilege is a reality... Get over it and stop alert stalking!
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Races cannot be reversed quite that easily, unless there is a giant history of blacks oppressing whites that I am unaware of. LLP


I voted in the majority, although I was on my phone at the time and couldn't add an explanation. If I could have, it would have sounded like the other comments.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
44. The Right doesn't need more fodder to dismiss him - but then again, they won't be able to dismiss
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 10:07 PM
Jan 2015

him, will they? DIS him, yes, but not dismiss. They've been trying for years and it still hasn't worked.

delete_bush

(1,712 posts)
74. The Right doesn't need more fodder to dismiss him..
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:34 AM
Jan 2015

Quite true. It's just unfortunate that those on the other side of the aisle aren't more objective about this anti-Semitic race hustler, whose only concern is his own ego.

Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
89. Objective about Rev. Al, like the racists who won't shut up about him?
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 03:40 AM
Jan 2015

Many of us have already heard sociopaths attacking various African-American public figures our whole lives. No amount of rage, withering hostility can possibly make the dumping of all this hatred seem respectable.

BlueStater

(7,596 posts)
46. Oh, good lord.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 10:16 PM
Jan 2015


You know what would be MORE appalling? Nominating somebody mostly because of the color of their skin. Geez.

kacekwl

(6,994 posts)
48. Sometimes you have to pick you're battles.
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 10:28 PM
Jan 2015

This subject is not one of the battles that should be fought at this time.

m-lekktor

(3,675 posts)
65. Cate Blanchette for that Woody Allen movie i forget the name.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:03 AM
Jan 2015

I originally posted Jennifer Lawrence but that was 2013 for Silver Linings PLaybook

on edit: Blue Jasmine was the name of the movie Cate Blanchette won best actress in.

 

OnePercentDem

(79 posts)
57. What a moron
Thu Jan 15, 2015, 11:25 PM
Jan 2015

Damn I can't stand this idiot.

2013 Chiwetel Ejiofor - Best Actor
2012 Denzel Washington - Best Actor
2009 Morgan Freeman - Best Actor
2006 Will Smith - Best Actor
2006 Forrest Whitaker - Best Actor
2005 Terrence Howard - Best Actor
2004 - Don Cheadle - Best Actor
2004 - Jamie Foxx - Best Actor
2001 - Denzel Washington - Best Actor
2001 Will Smith - Best Actor

Hey Al, since you can't count that would be 10 black actors nominated for leading male role since 2000.

2012 - Quvenshane Wallis - Best Actress
2011 - Viola Davis - Best Actress
2009 - Gabourey Sidibe - Best Actress
2001 - Halle Berry - Best Actress

Hey Al, since you can't count, that would be four black actresses nominated for leading female role since 2000.

12 were nominated for supporting roles.

I really hope this is not real because I'm not sure how much money he can get from this.

delete_bush

(1,712 posts)
83. I'm still waiting for the Latino, Hispanic, Asian, Korena,
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:30 AM
Jan 2015

Chinese, etc. activists to cast their lot.

Perhaps the Oscars should be awarded on a percentage of population basis. Award a .24th of an Oscar to winner #1, a .15th to #2, etc.

I can't believe how we willingly feed into the wing-nuts PC stereotypes of Dems. Sharpton should be laughed out of town for the clown he is.

m-lekktor

(3,675 posts)
67. I'll be curious to see the result of the emergency meeting!
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:10 AM
Jan 2015

the movies i enjoyed the most that I have actually seen and have been mentioned are Selma and Imitation Game.

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
82. There are a bazillion ways African Americans are getting screwed over that are more important
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:29 AM
Jan 2015

If Sharpton wants to accomplish something meaningful, he should call an emergency meeting to prevent the administration from going along with republican attempts to gut social security.

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
100. Two things that should bring us all together...
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 09:13 AM
Jan 2015

are the continued stability of the Social Security system and the blatant screwing we are in for if the Trans-Pacific Partnership is passed. President Clinton's "It's the economy, stupid!" mantra is as relevant now as it ever was.

Movie awards? Meh. I didn't even see any new movies last year, so these little statuettes don't mean much to me one way or the other.

Inkfreak

(1,695 posts)
88. I haven't taken the Oscars seriously since they snubbed Super Troopers for best movie.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 02:16 AM
Jan 2015

Look here, meow. They deserved it and I still believe it even meow.

















Meow.

Response to philosslayer (Original post)

 

trumad

(41,692 posts)
92. I nominate this the best post of 2015. ..so far.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 06:57 AM
Jan 2015


I saw the movie a couple of days ago and it's by far one of the best I've seen this last year. Huge snub in mho.

Those chirping up above haven't seen it... they just come runnin when they here the name Sharpton and start blowing their Dog Whistles.

LovingA2andMI

(7,006 posts)
93. Thank you!
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 07:03 AM
Jan 2015

Selma was the best movie I've seen from a directing point of view, ever. Ava Duvernay was indeed snubbed. With such, that action should and must be called out for what it is.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
125. A post that talks about the "Hollywood controlled Jewish lobby" is your favorite post of the year
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 03:46 PM
Jan 2015

so far?

That's interesting. At least the jury begged to differ.

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
129. I noticed that too.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 04:13 PM
Jan 2015

Apparently anti-Semitic comments are now cool. Comments that should be called out as shameful are celebrated.

GreatGazoo

(3,937 posts)
102. Work is nominated for an Oscar by previous winners of Oscars.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 09:45 AM
Jan 2015

In the first round actors nominate actors, sound guys nominate work in sound, etc. Then the Academy members are supposed to see any of the nominated works which they haven't yet seen, then they vote.

Due to this structure, the average age of an Academy member is well over 60 and in acting there are more women than men (because women tend to live longer).

Many have complained that Oscar favors safe, old fashioned films over those which take chances or push boundaries. (and they LOVE Meryl Streep). Movie and roles which involve disabilities, suffering or AIDS win a disproportionate share of nominations and Oscars and include for example Dallas Buyers Club, Philadelphia, Rain Man, and Nell. And older female actors almost always beat younger ones.

Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch and Brian DePalma will never win an Oscar because they don't make films with Meryl Streep in them or that older Hollywood ladies would like. Jim Jarmusch, Terrence Malick and Wim Wenders too because they stray outside the 3 simple plots that every Oscar winning film has had. Another example of the never nominated -- Alfred Hitchcock.

As they saying goes "everyone's a critic" but the Oscars are chosen by nice, mature Hollywood ladies.


GreatGazoo

(3,937 posts)
114. You are nominated by members in your own category
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 11:49 AM
Jan 2015

To be a voting member of the Academy you must be invited to join by members and then you are in for life.

77% men is for the whole voting group -- not (just) actors. All the tech categories -- sound, editing, effects -- are male dominated so they contribute a lot of male voters to the whole group but since the current controversy is about nominations, not winners, I note that the group doing the nominations in acting skews female.

For most categories, members from each of the branches vote to determine the nominees only in their respective categories (i.e. only directors vote for directors, writers for writers, actors for actors, etc.). In all major categories, voters use an instant runoff voting ballot, with potential nominees rewarded in the single transferable vote tally for having strong supporters who rank them first


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awards#Nomination

After nominations, everyone votes on everything but the part of the process just completed was actors nominating actors. etc.

I have seen the lists of members when I worked on campaigns to win Oscars. I hosted screenings for Academy voters. The CW within Hollywood was that you have to appeal to older female actresses if you want to get nom'd or win.
 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
108. it is appalling and i am glad he is doing something about it.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 10:57 AM
Jan 2015

somebody should be and if that somebody is sharpton, well good for him

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
116. Oscar nominations: Did your favorite film get snubbed? You're not alone...
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:03 PM
Jan 2015

Movies that a majority of the public hasn’t seen garnered the most nominations, while popcorn movies that the public has embraced were pushed aside, even in cases when deserving films existed.

The result: This is the first time in nine years that no film with a box-office take of at least $100 million has been nominated — a surprise considering that the decision five years ago to expand beyond five best-picture nominees was supposed to end such results.

The king of this year’s eight best-picture nominees at the box office is “The Grand Budapest Hotel” at $59 million, directed by Wes Anderson, who is known for films like “Moonrise Kingdom” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” that never lead the box office.

The existential comedy “Birdman” and the more slapstick “The Grand Budapest Hotel” led the nominations with nine each, earning all but two of the 20 nominations for Fox Searchlight — a subsidiary of the parent company Twentieth Century Fox — which earned four nods.


http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/movienews/oscar-nominations-did-your-favorite-film-get-snubbed-you-re/article_9560d347-3f91-5dcd-b8f9-96d110ca6685.html


Doesn't really seem like a racial thing.

Ace Rothstein

(3,109 posts)
118. The Lego people have also called an emergency meeting.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 12:37 PM
Jan 2015

They are pissed that they weren't nominated for Best Animated Feature.

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
128. Honestly - I can't remember the last time I watched.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 04:07 PM
Jan 2015

It may have been when Jack Palance made a wisecrack about Billy Crystal, and I'm not even sure when that was. My boycott won't make much of a difference, but I promise I won't be watching that night. According to my calendar, WWE Fast Lane is the same night. Hopefully Seth Rollins will be defending his newly-won WWE Championship that night.

MrScorpio

(73,626 posts)
132. The OP and this entire thread speaks to the utter futility...
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 05:01 PM
Jan 2015

Of people of color attempting to reverse white supremacy in America all by ourselves.

It's just never going to happen whenever it's left to POCs to do all of the heavy lifting.

The hardest job of all is that of trying to reveal to those who derive the utmost privilge from our current system of race stratification and identity that it's unfair. Not just unfair, but completely counter-productive. Our economic system, education system and entire structure of government is set up to create disparate levels of race and class. So much of what holds America back is based in this very problem.

The first thing that one should realize from this blantant example of the utter lack of minority representation is how casual it is. The presumption being that predominantly white depictions are automatically regarded as "universal" and non-white depictions are automatically relegated to tangential or even "fringe" conditions. In Hollywood, non-white historical figures are white-washed for American audiences. Only white perspectives are featured as story centerpieces of mainstream storylines. Predominantly non-white storylines are classified as "ethnic" and are usually loaded with ridiculous stereotypes.

Whites are routinely set up as saviors of non-whites. How many times have you seen movies where white people come to the rescue of disadvantaged "minorities," even when POCs represent a sizeable majority of the cast? Welcome to "White Savior" stories, where reforms never occur and chronic situations of minorities aren't resolved until they're done by the white protagonists.

http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/09/the-10-lamest-white-savior-movies/the-blind-side#!

If this current crop of Hollywood movies is a sign, and just take a look at the recent Exodus flop where the roles for prominent royal Egyptians where given to white actors and the roles of "slaves" filled by actors with darker skin, then it's pretty obvious that we have a long way to go.

Sure, what Reverend Sharpton is attempting here looks utterly hopeless from the get go, but at least it's bringing some attention to an obvious problem. However, unless whites themselves, both movie makers and audiences alike, demand a change... It ain't going to happen.

White supremacy is here to stay until the day in which white people will no longer have the power to maintain it. Hollywood will continue to paint distorted, monochromatic pictures until otherwise.

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
133. Take a step back . . .
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 05:20 PM
Jan 2015

Are you really trying to imply that because Selma only received a best picture nomination, but not also a best director, actor and actress, that demonstrates proof of white supremacyin Hollywood or elsewhere? There's ample examples of institutional racism in our society, but if you're calling for "emergency meetings" over Oscar nominations, particularly without actual evidence of racial bigotry in the nominations and when blacks in the industry have been nominated and won in the past, do not be surprised when even liberals perceive it as petty and ridiculous.

Further, when Al Sharpton is the person you're hoping will bring attention to racial problems, given his own expressed long history of racial, religious and ethnic animus, particularly against other largely liberal groups such as Jews or Asians, you should similarly not be surprised if the attention you receive is far from positive.

MrScorpio

(73,626 posts)
134. Dude, please reread my entire post...
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 05:33 PM
Jan 2015

Because there's nothing in what I've just written which comes close to saying what you've just implied what I said.

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)
135. I think you missed Mr. Scorpio's point completely. He wasn't implying anything.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 05:34 PM
Jan 2015

There sis a serious problem with the list and lack of nominations.


branford, you are aware you are using the very same tactics faux news acolytes use when trying to dismiss Mr. Sharpton, right?

Further, when Al Sharpton is the person you're hoping will bring attention to racial problems, given his own expressed long history of racial, religious and ethnic animus, particularly against other largely liberal groups such as Jews or Asians, you should similarly not be surprised if the attention you receive is far from positive.
This is a bit of a red herring to distract from the the point Mr. Scorpio was making.
 

branford

(4,462 posts)
138. I understand the general points of the commenter.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 06:08 PM
Jan 2015

However, they were explicitly made in response to a thread about Al Sharpton calling an "emergency meeting" because Selma allegedly did not receive sufficient Oscar nominations. The poster has conflated systemic white privilege and related matters with Sharpton and Oscar nominations, regardless of his or her intentions. As I indicated, to do so does nothing but seriously trivialize matters that I and others might otherwise be sympathetic to and more than willing to discuss. The numerous comments on this thread demonstrates this perfectly.

Do you really believe that because Selma only received a best picture nomination we face a "serious problem" that require "emergency meetings?" Do you have actual evidence of racial bigotry in the nominations, for this certainly wasn't the first time a movie has been wholly or partially snubbed and black actors have certainly been nominated and won in the past. What is the "emergency meeting" supposed to accomplish and what are the intended solutions to this "serious problem?" Should there be racial quotas in film nominations and awards or maybe separate categories for best minority actor, director, etc.? Are we supposed to forswear capitalism because peoples taste in movies differ from the Academy voters?

Al Sharpton is also most certainly not a red herring. The messenger is often the message. If one of the primary spokespeople for ending racial divisions is not only is notorious for causing these divisions, but has seriously alienated otherwise sympathetic and liberal groups, how is that possibly not a problem?

I'm a liberal, professional and politically active Jew in NYC, and I can tell you that Al Sharpton needs only to show his face, and many non-black liberals, no less anyone else, will often instinctively oppose any position he espouses out of simple and unadulterated revulsion. Fox news and others are able to dismiss Sharpton because his own history, attitude and actions just makes it so easy and appropriate. Accusing or implying that those who loathe Sharpton are little more than Fox news conservatives will not silence anyone, again as the comments on this thread readily prove.

MrScorpio

(73,626 posts)
139. You know, Branford, for someone who's been on this site for a year and half...
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 07:27 PM
Jan 2015

And not know that I'm a "he," I find that it odd that you would miss that. But that's neither here nor there.

Anyhoo... It's quite clear that, although you say that you've understood my "general points," you most certainly avoided addressing them. I guess that I need to point out my assessment that Sharpton's efforts through his "emergency meeting" to address the lack of nominees of color would be fruitless whether if the person of color doing such a thing was Sharpton or some OTHER person of color.

The real "problem" as I pointed out is in fact, an inherent system of white supremacy that permeates not only the Hollywood system, but America as a whole.

No black, or brown person can expect to change any of that, especially all alone, no matter who they are. I was very explicit in pointing this out... Which you ignored, of course.

You want to make the issue about Sharpton... I'm telling you that this issue isn't about Sharpton, regardless what he thinks he can do. Which isn't a whole lot. However, his actions do serve a greater purpose, which I took upon myself to address key/core issues about how white supremacy manifests itself and creates a condition where not one person of color would be nominated for the 2015 Oscars. This isn't just about "Selma," it's about the entire Hollywood movie system as a whole, which I addressed.

Why would you ignore that?

You're talking about quotas, I meant nothing of the kind. Quotas would have no affect on a system of white supremacy that I addressed in several paragraphs.

Of course, I hear you blaming Sharpton for the racist system that he's addressing. White people who refuse to understand these basic issues tend to do stuff like that. Thanks for speaking from your privileged perch, it's been noted.

One last thing: Basically, your responses confirm my point that these problems won't be resolved merely by black activism alone. Only white people have the power to abolish white supremacy in this country, if they wish to do so. That's not going to happen, only because it's a concept that most white people have a hard time accepting. The entire process of white supremacy guarantees that it's not even seen by most white people who inherently benefit from it. It's their normal. And as long as whites feel somewhat inconvenienced whenever black activism points out these issues, the most common reaction by whites would be to find way to discredit that activism. So, I'm sure that things won't change for now.

By the way, instead of Sharpton, name ONE black activist that white America would respect had they tried the same tactic as he in this particular case. Which black person, besides Sharpton, would white America take an "Emergency Meeting" with over the lack of black representation in the 2015 Oscars?

 

branford

(4,462 posts)
141. It's not my obligation to indicate what black leaders would be appropriate
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 08:10 PM
Jan 2015

to address any issue concerning the African-American community, nor would it be prudent. Any suggestion that I could offer would be roundly criticized as arrogant or far worse, if not actually used as evidence of the white privilege of which you complain. You choose you own leaders and spokespeople, but such choices do not immunize them from criticism.

Simply, my point was that if you want to discuss institutional racial disparities and potential remedies, I and others here would certainly consider that a worthwhile discussion. However, when you attempt to initiate the discussion in the context of film awards and Al Sharpton, you end up trivializing and minimizing the very issue that concerns you, although that certainly was not your intention.

I also do not blame Sharpton for any racist system, as you suggest. I blame Al Sharpton for the conduct and statements of Al Sharpton, no more, no less. If people choose to follow his leadership and support such conduct and statements, I will, of course, treat them accordingly.

I will not accept the straw man that things would be different regardless of leadership, and therefore he doesn't really matter. The fact is that for good or ill, Sharpton is indeed currently a major leadership figure in the African-American community, and has been involved in racial, religious and ethnic politics for decades, quite often making the situations far worse. With incidents like Crown Heights and Freddy's Fashion Mart, my otherwise very liberal community (Jews in NYC) mostly view him as an anti-Semite with blood on his hands. Asian-Americans and other groups share similar perceptions. His dismally low approval ratings bear this out.

You claim that you require the efforts of non-minorities to help end institutional racism. Although I do not entirely agree, asking me and a great many others to work with Sharpton and his ilk will not happen, no matter how laudable the goal. You want me to acknowledge and accept the concerns of your community, and I expect commiserate courtesy.

Lastly, I had no idea about your gender, and will happily refer to you however you wish. Note also that much of my prior comment was directed at Raine1967 who commented on both our earlier posts.

MrScorpio

(73,626 posts)
143. Yeah, I get that you don't like Shaprton...
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 08:58 PM
Jan 2015

Which pretty much explains your visceral reaction to him and willingness to redirect the conversation to about him alone when I simply expanded the scope of the conversation to a bigger picture. But the thing about him being identified as a leadership figure in the black community, given that reaction especially by whites, it's a neat way to cage whatever black activism is happening at the time. Today, the Oscars, yesterday, Trayvon Martin, tomorrow, who knows? But just as long as Sharpton is used as a lightning rod, those who really don't want to address those issues can point at him and call him the bad guy.

Lot's of times these same people would label him a "race hustler" or some such epithet. I credit you for at least NOT taking it that far.

But for the fifteenth time, this issue is way bigger than Sharpton's involvement, what ever it may be.

Too bad that you can't seem to get to that point... Which was exactly my point in the post which you bothered to engage in the first place.

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)
142. Once again, you seem to ignore the very fact that there was no implication.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 08:54 PM
Jan 2015

What I believe isn't important. You are asking me to answer things that are not relevant to my post to you.

Anyone can generally understand anything. this was an implicit statement that you are still choosing to not respond to.

Personally, I agree with everything Mr. Scorpio said. I also never said that Al Sharpton was a red herring, I said you using him as a debate diversion was.

I'm a liberal, professional and not a Jew that spent most of her life in NY. I can tell you an awful lot about Al Sharpton as well.

I won't because I can see clearly that you have made your choice about him. That's fine, IMO however, nothing he wrote comes close to what you've just implied.

THAT is a red herring.




Exultant Democracy

(6,594 posts)
151. Great post on a depressing thread full of racist bile.
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 01:50 PM
Jan 2015

Last edited Sat Jan 17, 2015, 06:00 PM - Edit history (1)

Wow they came out full force on this. I remember just a few months ago people talking about how many AA had left DU, now I know why. I must have missed the other Klan party threads but a forum only needs a few of these to drive a group away I guess.

Cha

(295,909 posts)
183. Check this out, MrScorpio.. "This sums it up, perfectly.."
Sun Jan 18, 2015, 01:56 AM
Jan 2015

Nerdy Wonka @NerdyWonka
Follow
This sums it up perfectly.

Congratulations, @TheAcademy for taking several steps backwards.

#OscarsSoWhite
9:58 AM - 17 Jan 2015 54 Retweets 29 favorites

hattip: :http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/17/a-tweet-or-two-212/
 

Bradical79

(4,490 posts)
147. It's up for best picture
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 07:31 AM
Jan 2015

So I don't know that the film itself is being snubbed. Sounds like individuals are in their respective categories, so it sounds like behind the scenes politics going by the person with a more "insider" view who responded to me further up thread.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
148. I don't understand how any film is nominated for best picture and the director of said
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 10:44 AM
Jan 2015

film is excluded..makes no sense to me.

The best actor category leaving out the actor playing MLK is bizarre too.

Sharpton asking questions is fair.

Cha

(295,909 posts)
163. I know what you mean, Jefferson.. What made the film so good that it was nominated for Best
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 07:39 PM
Jan 2015

Picture? To me the Writing and the Acting as well as the Directing, etc all enter into the picture as it were.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
169. That is how I see it too. Best Picture generally encompasses the director, at the very least.
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 08:21 PM
Jan 2015

If Selma were to win, only the producers get up to take the prize...very odd.The director ignored, main actor ignored...
so how would any film win for best film that way?

I believe Obama held a private screening for the cast at the WH...pretty cool, I think.

Cha

(295,909 posts)
180. President Obama did indeed having a private screening for Selma at the WH.. and there were orgs
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 11:39 PM
Jan 2015

giving free tickets to Middle School students across the country.

https://www.google.com/#q=free+tickets+for+Selma+to+middle+school+students

Cha

(295,909 posts)
184. Selma in the White House! Lorraine Toussaint Tweet pic..
Sun Jan 18, 2015, 04:57 AM
Jan 2015

Lorraine Toussaint ✔ @LPToussaint
Follow
Selma in (White) House!!!!!!!
Thank you "O"

6:05 PM - 16 Jan 2015 Washington, DC, United States 107 Retweets 169 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/17/saturday-needs-laughter/

Cha

(295,909 posts)
187. No, I haven't.. looking forward! David Oyelowo @ the White House..
Sun Jan 18, 2015, 08:27 PM
Jan 2015

LIZY @lizcriolla
Follow
David Oyelowo and @AVAETC at the White House,where President Obama hosted a #SelmaFilm private screening yesterday.💜💙
8:59 AM - 17 Jan 2015 46 Retweets 51 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/18/rise-and-shine-994/#comments

Glad it's being celebrated so much, too!

harrose

(380 posts)
172. Because it's possible for the sum of the parts...
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 10:17 PM
Jan 2015

... of one film to be greater than the sum of the parts of any other film and yet, have the individual parts of other films be better than the individual parts of this film.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
177. It may be partly due to Paramount's actions...
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 11:14 PM
Jan 2015

the film was released late in the year and Paramount apparently didn't send DVD screener copies
to members of the Director's Guild (only Director's Guild members vote for best director) see:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-et-mn-oscar-watch-producers-guild-nominations-20150105-htmlstory.html

exboyfil

(17,857 posts)
181. Lately only five of the nine movies nominated for Best Picture also get a Best Director nomination.
Sat Jan 17, 2015, 11:46 PM
Jan 2015

Selma did make Best Picture nomination. Last year 12 Years swept both categories (as well as Best Supporting Actress).

Statistically speaking if you group the four actor awards (Leading and Supporting for both actor and actress), you get what you would statistically expect if you consider the population of the U.S. (9 awards over 14 years starting the clock in 2001). Remember any foreign actors and actresses are also winning during this time (of course the supporting actress from last year is of African descent but a U.S. citizen).

I really don't see a problem. It would have been nice if Mr. Sharpton had been a little a more diplomatic in his questioning of the selection process.

Eventually an African American is going to break through as Best Director. Maybe it should have been this year, maybe not. Ava DuVernay is young, and she has a great chance of breaking though at some point. She has another 30 years or more ahead of her to make great movies.

Cha

(295,909 posts)
190. Academy President Speaks Out on Lack of Diversity Among This Year's Oscar Nominees
Sun Jan 18, 2015, 10:39 PM
Jan 2015

snip//

The first black president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has spoken out about the outrage surrounding the lack of diversity among this year's slate of Oscar nominees – and says the Academy is taking steps to address it going forward.

"In the last two years, we've made greater strides than we ever have in the past toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization through admitting new members and more inclusive classes of members," Cheryl Boone Isaacs told the Associated Press Friday evening. "And, personally, I would love to see and look forward to see a greater cultural diversity among all our nominees in all of our categories."

MOre..
http://www.people.com/article/academy-awards-president-cheryl-boone-isaacs-oscars-diversity



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