Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, February 03, 2016, Image 19

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Portland observer., February 03, 2016, Page Page 19, Image 19

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Newspaper Page TextFebruary 3, 2016 Page 19 O PINION New Prices Effective May 1, 2014 Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG. $45.00 A small distance/travel charge may be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area Pre-Spray Trafic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 Includes Pre-Spray Trafic Area (Hallway Extra) Distributed by OtherWords.org A Lousy Mirror for Our Multicultural Society Why I’m skipping the Oscars m arC m orial For two years in a row, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences — the organization behind the Oscars — failed to nomi- nate a single actor or actress of color in the lead and support- ing acting categories. Not one. Meanwhile, though women earned more Oscar nomina- tions overall, they were com- pletely shut out from the best cinematography and best direc- tor categories at Hollywood’s biggest and splashiest awards show again. In a nation as diverse as ours, ilm awards that ignore the vast artistic talent and contributions of women and people of col- or are a whitewashed iction. They might make for good sci- i, but they’re a lousy mirror for our multicultural society. I don’t question the cinemat- ic credentials of the Academy’s 6,000-plus voting members. by But I do question how it is that in a season that pro- duced critically acclaimed ilms such as Beasts of No Nation, which stars Idris Elba as an African warlord; the NWA biop- ic Straight Outta Comp- ton; and Creed, the latest in- stallment in the iconic Rocky franchise, there were no black screenwriters, directors, com- posers, cinematographers, or actors to be found whose con- tributions deserved Academy recognition. Ironically enough, two ilms helmed by black artists — Creed and Compton — were recognized by the Academy, but their sole nominations were denied to people of col- or. Sylvester Stallone received a best supporting actor nod for his role in Creed, and the white writers of Compton got a nom- ination for best original screen- play. A much-cited 2012 survey highlights the crux of the prob- lem: the Academy’s members. They’re 94 percent white, 77 percent male, and their average age is 63. That’s hardly repre- sentative of the diversity we see in the streets and, increas- ingly, on our TV screens. Even after a push for more inclusion following last year’s infamous snub of Selma, few- er than 20 African Ameri- cans — and just a handful of Latinos and Asian Americans — were among the 322 new members invited to join the Academy. There are other factors in- volved. A recent UCLA study found that ilm studio heads were 94 percent white and that all of them were men. Studio senior management was a similarly homogenous 92 percent white and 83 per- cent male. The struggle to transform the Academy into a more di- verse body must take place within the Academy itself. Maybe that’s starting to hap- pen: After this year’s iasco, leaders announced a goal to double the representation of women and people of color by 2020. But change will remain elu- sive if there’s no transforma- tion of the white male-dominat- ed studio system that decides what gets made — and perhaps most importantly, what doesn’t get made — in the irst place. Major studios simply aren’t green-lighting projects that re- lect our nation. And the few movies that do signal greater inclusivity end up on the cutting room loor during the awards nomination process. I’m not an Academy mem- ber. I don’t green-light ilms, nor do I direct them. But I do control what does — or doesn’t — appear on my television screen. So this year, I’m skip- ping the Oscars. And I won’t tune back in until Hollywood addresses these legitimate con- cerns and gets with the pro- gram. Marc Morial is president and chief executive oficer of the National Urban League. Stairs (12-16 stairs - With Other Services) : $25.00 Area/Oriental Rugs: $25.00 Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs (Wool) : $40.00 Minimum Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying) UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $69.00 Loveseat: $49.00 Sectional: $109 - $139 Chair or Recliner: $25 - $49 Throw Pillows (With Other Services) : $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949