From Hattie McDaniel sitting at a segregated table at the back of the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, to Lupita Nyong’o being asked about her dress and role on the red carpet, we have come a long way. Hattie McDaniel was the first black actor (male or female) to receive an Oscar for her character, Mammy, in Gone with the Wind. Halle Berry was the first black actress to receive the Oscar for female performance in a leading role. Among these two firsts, there has been Mo’Nique, Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Hudson, Whoopi Goldberg, and now Lupita Nyong’o.
I look up to these women who have paved the way for future actresses of color to even be recognized at the Academy Awards. Lupita’s speech really spoke to my heart, she said “No matter where you come from your dreams are valid.” Lupita is also the first black actress to win an Oscar that is not born in the US and I’m like woah enhancing that diversity! To think that in 1940 Hattie McDaniel couldn’t even sit amongst all of her peers and now Lupita is giving Ellen her lip bomb, I know that’s trivial, but it makes me grateful, to think that the acting world may actually be a place where I can grow as a black actress. When Halle Berry accepted her award for Monster’s Ball, she didn’t want to let go of that mic and who could blame her! All the years that it too to get this high honor and she won, finally. I am still waiting for the day when Halle Berry will not be the only black actress to win best actress, Lupita gives me hope. Though I feel like we still need a lot of work I am proud of the feats that African Americans have made in this industry, I mean 12 Years a Slave won for best picture, an award that I always believed The Color Purple deserved. I am so happy that a movie that features such contraversial issues is finally at the forefront, a win this community really deserved. So with that being said I cant wait to see the Oscars develop over time!
Quotes From the Acceptance Speeches:
I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry!- HM
Ever since I was a little kid I wanted this! -WP
I gotta take some time, 74 years here!- HB
Thank you, for helping me keep the faith even when I didn’t believe!- JH
I want to thank the academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics!-MH
I share this with everybody!- OS
Bestlittlelion: Lupita’s speech gave me goosebumps. I am so glad that you wrote about this. I never realized that so few black women have received an Academy Award. I was fully aware of their struggle in the industry, but I think that because I respect, revere, and view so many black female actresses as incredibly talented and accomplished individuals, I was in the dark of how few have won the honor. In my eyes, a lot of black actresses (Viola Davis, Halle Berry, Thandie Newton, Kerry Washington, Zoe Saldana, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Hudson……the list goes on…) are some of the most gifted women in Hollywood. They should be rewarded for their talent.
Thanks for your comment! Yea its hard to believe that Halle Berry has been the only one to win best actress(Viola Davis should have won for The Help). I was touched by Lupita’s speech, but I also realize that there isn’t enough writers who write about these experiences, so it doesn’t give black women that much of an opportunity to win these awards let alone play parts in movies. Even movies that do showcase a black perspective often get shut out entirely. Fruitvale Station which is about events leading to the death of Oscar Grant, a young man who was killed by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle at the Fruitvale Bay Area Rapid Transit Station in Oakland, California, got completely shut out at the Oscars. You know what did get nominated though…. Bad Grandpa for best make up, which is from the creators of Jackass! So what does that say about our acting world. I’m glad that my post led you to realize the actual amount of black actresses who do win these awards and hopefully Lupita is taking us to a better path!
Ya, wow, I think I was pretty naive about the narrow amount of black women that had won oscars as well! But this is certainly a leap in the right direction! Not only for Lupita’s individual win, but also of course with the big win for 12 years a slave. Great eye-opening and thought provoking article! This will change the way I view (and cheer for) the oscar nominees next year (and hopefully not too long after, as hopefully this strive for true equality won’t be needed anymore)!
Thanks for you comment! I’m really glad that this post is making people think differently about the Oscars! I agree that Lupita’s win is a huge stride for the African American community and I cannot wait to see the growth and progress within the Oscars in the future 🙂