Every year I get overjoyed to watch the Oscars. I follow The Academy on Instagram and twitter, and read Variety and The Hollywood Reporter almost every day. I have the IMDB app on my phone and read it before I go to bed. Needless to say, I am obsessed with the entertainment industry and can't wait to someday be a part of it. But, this year's Oscars have been overruled by hashtags and boycotts that make the award ceremony more of a social statement than an awards show to honor amazing work in the industry.
Because of this, I was more than excited to see what Chris Rock was going to say in his opening monologue. He did not disappoint. It was easy to say that his speech would have something to do with race - obviously. But what I was not expecting was his commentary about diversity in general. Chris Rock - you are doing The Academy a service by making comments that not only poke fun of the system of oppression Hollywood has in place, but by making it more understandable and acceptable to talk about.
He wasn't the only person to make comments about the issues in Hollywood or the industry, the whole Oscars made commentary about the issues in diversity. Basically, through humor, The Academy was able to say that it made a mistake and that maybe in the future, things will change.
Here are the biggest 88th Oscars clap backs:
1. "You're damn right Hollywood's racist ... Hollywood is 'sorority racist.' It's like 'We like you Rhonda, but you’re not a Kappa.'"
In this speech there was a lot to say about racism. But he pointed out so perfectly the factor that negates racism in Hollywood. It's not obvious, so no one notices and cares. Just like in Greek life - but that's a clap back for another day.
2. Michael B. Jordan presenting an award and his description reading "stars in Oscar-nominated picture 'Creed'"
Probably the biggest clap back was just the fact that MBJ was there at all. He was snubbed for a role that deserved to be awarded, but he still presented an award, and still looked hella fine.
3. Angela Basset talking about Will Smith's career and giving Jack Black credit.
After the Smiths not being present at the Oscars, they did honor his achievements and then credit Jack Black as a joke about Black History Month left everyone in utter shock at the sheer amount of back in that clap.
4. Kevin Hart making people of color not being nominated a positive instead of a negative - then talking about not getting a front row seat.
Thanks for making me realize that while these Oscars may have issues, there are things we can take away from it and make it better in the future. And for making me laugh.
5. Chris Rock interviewing people outside a Compton theater about Oscars So White
Not only did they make fun of how people don't know Oscar nominated movies, they had people comment on why diversity needs to actually be a thing in Hollywood. A+.
6. Louis C.K. presenting short subject documentary by saying "'Mad Max'... just kidding"
By not only noting that there is an obvious issue with pictures "sweeping" the Oscars, it also led into "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness" – Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoywinning the award. Meaning a woman of color won. This is huge.
7. Having Asian children come on stage as the accountants who tabulate the winners - and then saying they also make the phones we use to tweet about his offensive jokes.
Straight savage.
8. Joe Biden introducing Lady Gaga - clap back to rapists.
When you have to bring out the vice president to tell you to change our culture for sexual abuse in the country- savage. Also, visit ItsOnUs.org.
9. Leonardo DiCaprio won an Oscar, finally, and still talked about global warming.
Enough said.
10. Cheryl Boone-Isaacs telling us that it's everyone's responsibility to influence the industry.
Most importantly, when the president of The Academy tells you that the future can be better if you participate, you better listen.
There were a lot of great things to happen at the Oscars. I gasped, I laughed and I cried. The 88th Oscars did not disappoint.
