The Hollywood Reporter published an interview it did with an “anonymous female Academy member” about her ballot for Sunday’s 87th Academy Awards, and a comment she made about “Selma” is making waves among the police protesters.
Basically, this “brutally honest” voter wasn’t happy with the cast protesting the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner at the New York premier of the film and had this to say to THR:
When a movie about black people is good, members vote for it. But if the movie isn’t that good, am I supposed to vote for it just because it has black people in it? I’ve got to tell you, having the cast show up in T-shirts saying “I can’t breathe” [at their New York premiere] — I thought that stuff was offensive. Did they want to be known for making the best movie of the year or for stirring up shit?
Oof. Some of the commentary:
Oscar voter Unhappy that actors in a movie about protest are protesting. http://t.co/8a4O2BQfpq via @dailykos
— History bites (@akeleven) February 20, 2015
#Oscars2015 #AcademyAwards Gee, not possible H'wood is as bigoted as #Ferguson — right? http://t.co/4MZSjosQB2
— Margot Channing (@jeffreyjonsmith) February 20, 2015
Says more about the voter: Oscar voter says 'I Can't Breathe' T-shirts worn by Selma cast wer offensive http://t.co/9jeayv7gUs via @dailykos
— Erin (@AutumnE49) February 19, 2015
How DARE the cast of Selma insult the memory of Dr King by taking part in a civil rights protest? Wait, hang on… pic.twitter.com/ogWkcGKNMo
— Tom Doran (@portraitinflesh) February 19, 2015
Umm… How does this affect the integrity of the movie? No. Seriously, how?… http://t.co/LTCS2uL7M7
— Mama's Always on Stage (@Paula_Galloway) February 19, 2015
https://twitter.com/LigerNull/status/568415881761574914
via @nprnews: Another reason to boycott the Oscars. Read what this Oscar voter said bout 'Selma' cast protest http://t.co/ux7c6Qmfb6
— Kim Tae Sun (@Dokdo_Refugee) February 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/mira_elhussein/status/568393437394767872
@ShaunKing Yes wearing a t-shirt is offensive but police officers choking someone to death is just fine.
— Bibliophiles Welcome, Nazis are not (@suzanalou) February 19, 2015
@ShaunKing Offended? Offended?? Being choked til you can't breath – THAT is offensive. What a jackass.
— BetsyD (@betsdavenport) February 20, 2015
Twitchy reported when the Academy Awards nominations were released that there was some talk of a disruption of the show to to protest Selma’s alleged snub by voters as well as an overall lack of diversity in Hollywood:
Will #BlackLivesMatter protesters attempt to shut down the Oscars? http://t.co/Fob19evyKp
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 15, 2015
'Activists' plead with Al Sharpton to help push #HandsUpNoOscar Hollywood boycott http://t.co/46HFINY3dE
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 16, 2015
'The higher you get, the whiter it gets': Al Sharpton teases 'action' over Oscar noms http://t.co/6mQU4XTBNc
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 15, 2015
There’s no word yet if any such protest is scheduled for Sunday, but we’ll be watching! Stay tuned…
***
Related:
‘White power’: Academy Awards voters criticized for ‘all white’ nominees (Plus complete list!)
No, ‘Selma’ wasn’t snubbed at the #SAGAwards
‘The higher you get, the whiter it gets’: Al Sharpton teases ‘action’ over Oscar noms
Join the conversation as a VIP Member