Last week Chris Rock took the stage at the 88th Annual Academy Awards to host. Chris Rock hosted, despite many people boycotting because of the lack of diversity in nominees. The four main categories (best actor and actress, best supporting actor and actress) had twenty nominees, all of whom were white.
Despite the fact that the comedian used humor in his monologue, he addressed serious issues while making valid points. Rock mentioned that this is not the first year that black people and other people of color have been snubbed at the Academy Awards. What makes people protest this year, despite the fact that this is not a new issue? Chris made a good point that in the past, there were much bigger issues of racism to be focused on.
Rock acknowledged that Hollywood and the academy are racist, just not in the way that many of us are used to. “Is it burning cross racist? No. Is it fetch me some lemonade racist? No. It’s a different type of racist…Is Hollywood racist? Damn right it’s racist. But it ain’t the racist that you’ve grown accustomed to. Hollywood is sorority racist. Like, ‘We like you Rhonda, but you’re not a Kappa’.” Although there has been growth in the Academy, there are still hurdles, one being that many people of color aren’t even offered good roles.
Many people, including minorities, took to social media to criticize Chris Rock’s monologue. Many people called him a coon and stated that he did not stand up for black people, or that he only stood up for black people. I personally stand by Rock and support that he had the courage the go against the Academy while hosting. It was also brave that he hosted without the support of many people of color.
You can watch Chris Rock’s Monologue for the 88th Annual Academy Awards Here.