I know it’s been a couple of months BUT the conversation won’t stop. I mean what can we expect, now was that history or was it?I have been asked several times about my feelings towards this Oscar win and I have to say it has not been an easy response. There are so many sides to look at, and a blanket statement is neither fair nor acceptable. So here goes……….The first thing I had to do was some research…I wanted to know…what is the actual definition of the Academy Awards?
Turns out, the Academy’s general goal is “the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Within that, the Academy fosters cultural, educational and technological cooperation amongst its members; it provides a forum for various branches of the industry; it represents the viewpoint of its members; and it encourages educational activities between the professional community and the public.”
Well obviously in reading that, CULTURE stuck out like a sore thumb, because of course, HIP HOP is first and foremost a culture and is responsible for a billion dollar movement of such culture. The next thing that stood out for me was the statement of how it represents the viewpoint of its members. I have a list of these members and unless one of these guys is gettin’ “crunk” on the low I can’t see how Three Six Mafia reps their hood! We are entitled but not represented. Back in 1971 at the 44th annual awards, Isaac Hayes won the Oscar for Shaft (for the film Shaft), in 1978 Last Dance won (for the film Thank God it’s Friday), in 1980 Fame won (for the film Fame) and in 2002 Lose Yourself was the winner (for the film 8-mile).
The Academy very well proves its case where culture is very dominant and I have to keep going back to that because that is the leg we stand on. So, based on this definition and trend, I have to say that Three Six Mafia did in fact deserve the Oscar.
Now let’s argue this from the standpoint of how do we, as African Americans, want to be represented?! Personally, I get tired of the same ole’ stereotypes and it’s a shame that the media only chooses one side of who we are as a people to represent us. We have to remember these images not only flood the market in America, but around the world! And unfortunately believe it or not music videos make up most of the programming. The problem with that is now we have become defined as a race based on what is televised and thus we are treated that way as a people.
It is hard for me to believe that we do not encompass any other body of work that is Oscar worthy. For instance…Denzel won best actor for Training Day when we all know he should have won for Malcolm X, Hurricane or even Glory (before you try to pull my card on this, realize that he won for supporting NOT LEAD) or….well you know where I am going with this! We never get the prize until we become what the media believes we are…thugs, gang bangers, murderers, prostitutes and pimps (unless we’re driving Miss. Daisy around, cheesing from ear to ear).
Now I acknowledge that Three Six Mafia created a song that was a perfect fit for the theme of “Hustle and Flow”, but there is a distinct reason why Denzel Washington, Sidney Poitier and Will Smith all urged Terrence Howard NOT to perform the award winning song on the night of the Oscars. See guys this is all about acceptance and they will always award us living within the realms of how they want us to be seen, but it is an uphill battle to be recognized for the creation of an idea that uplifts our community. Unfortunately billions of dollars does not change a stereotype or encourage people to think differently, it just presses the attitude of how can I exploit this to jump on the cash wagon.
In closing, congratulations to Three Six Mafia for becoming apart of Academy Award History, you are forever engraved on the list of winners!
DUPERFLY
Duperfly is an actress, model, painter and aspiring writer from Brooklyn, New York.