Has Hollywood really come a long way from the “golden years” of Hollywood? EW did bring up a very interesting point about this year being only the second time three African Americans would be up for a leading Oscar. Not since 1973 when Diana Ross was nominated for Lady Sings The Blues with Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield for Sounder. They continue to tell that “no other African American Best Actor candidate has won since Sidney Poitier for 1963’s Lilies of the Field while no other black woman has won Best Actress ever.” This is pretty saddening news considering all of the wonderful performances by African Americans actors and especially actresses that have been passed up in the past decades. Angela Bassett as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With it, Samuel L. Jackson in basically every movie he’s been in, Denzel Washington for Remember the Titans and The Hurricane (for which he only received a Golden Globe) and many more talented names that go on and on.
Halle Berry has been quoted saying, “I really do think that it’s about to start changing.” She takes a pause. “I have to tell myself that anyway.”
It’s amazing to step back and take a look at everything. This is the year 2002 and the amount of minorities in the Academy suggests it is nothing more than an exclusive “old boy’s” club.
Maybe things are changing. But very, very slowly. Damon Wayans just recently won the People’s Choice award for his acting and his show My Wife and Kids and the Golden Globes have given nominations to Will Smith and Denzel Washington in the same category. It’s not so much a longshot if they win. Denzel has already won for The Hurricane while he was blatantly ignored at Oscar time. He has already won numerous awards for Training Day and I’m pretty positive many audiences are hoping he gets something for next month’s John Q. But whether they finally be recognized for their work come Golden Globe time has yet to be seen.
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