The 82nd Annual Academy Awards – Breaking Tradition with the First Woman Receiving Best Director and the First African American Male Winning Best Screenplay Adapted

In the 82 years that the Academy Awards has been around, it is hard to believe that a woman has never won Best Director. In 1968 Carol Reed (Oliver!) and in 2003 Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) were the only females to ever be nominated. Why has the Academy put up so much resistance when it comes to giving a woman the honor? Kathryn Bigelow, director of The Hurt Locker, is the only woman to ever win Best Director and Best Picture. With all things being equal, the Academy needs to shut down its good ol’ boy’s club and embrace the sea of diversity that’s been neglected for so long. Come on, in 82 years, no woman was considered talented enough to direct a movie worthy of Oscar recognition? In last night’s Hurt Locker press conference, a reporter actually asked Ms. Bigelow if her previous marriage to James Cameron contributed to the betterment of her filmmaking. Can’t she just let Ms. Bigelow enjoy her moment? Why hasn’t anyone asked James if he’s learned a few things about filmmaking from Kathryn?

“I’d like to dedicate this to the women and men who risk their lives on a daily basis. May they come home safe.”—Kathryn Bigelow accepting the Oscar. “Well I hope I’m the first of many and I [can't wait] for the day when a modifier will be a mute point.”

We live in a country that is 233 1/2 years old. We’ve elected 44 presidents, none of them women and only one of them a black man. The reluctance to elevate women has been a mantra in this country since the Puritans and the struggles that people of color have endured are insurmountable. I know last night was a victory, so why doesn’t it feel that way? As I watched the 82nd Annual Academy Awards with the Organization of Black Screen Writers (I just happened to be in a Century City hotel lobby watching it on the big screen) I thought it was serendipitous that they too were there, and I have to admit that it changed my viewing experience. I looked at the Oscars with a different pair of eyes.

Few blacks in over 4 generations have been placed in starring roles worthy enough for a nomination. It’s no surprise that there has only been a handful to ever win the Oscar. In 1939, Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress for Gone with the Wind. Hattie was forced to sit in the balcony during the show because she was ‘colored.’ And in 1963, Sidney Poitier won Best Actor for Lilly of the Fields. They are joined by Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Whoopie Goldberg, Jennifer Hudson, Lou Gossett, Jr., Forrest Whitaker, and now Mo’Nique (for Best Supporting Actress), and Geoffrey Fletcher (for Best Screen Play Adapted). There have been others in the Best Song and Music Categories.

“This is for everybody who works on a dream every day . . . precious boys and girls every where. The entire cast, including Mo’Nique showed me how an actor can elevate the written word.” —Geoffrey Fletcher accepting Best Screenplay Adapted for Precious

“First I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics! I’d like to thank my husband for showing me that sometimes you have to forgo what’s popular for doing what’s right!” —Mo’Nique accepting Best Supporting Actress for Precious