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The Oscars Tackled Their Diversity Problem In A Big Way

Last night, Chris Rock and the Academy didn't give a damn what people thought. I think this was the most real award show I've ever laid my eyes on. I liked it. And I'd like to see Chris Rock be given the reins to every awards show in existence.
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Awards trophy and clapper board
mattjeacock via Getty Images
Awards trophy and clapper board

Leonardo DiCaprio. The end.

Nah, I suppose the Oscars had way more in store for us aside from King Leonardo DiCaprio (this is your cue to bow down) winning his first Oscar. They really pushed the #OscarsSoWhite thing; far enough that the eyes of both parties should have been opened by the end of the show. While #OscarsSoWhite was embraced with a bear hug, Jada Pinkett-Smith and her efforts to boycott the Oscars were taught a lesson or two.

Chris Rock (the killer host who should take the reigns on every award show that exists) opened up the night with too many good lines to remember. My favourite was when he addressed Jada saying, "Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties... I wasn't invited". And after I managed to catch my breath from that he addressed sexism on the red carpet -- specifically the "Who/what are you wearing?" question that seems to only be aimed at women. He said that wouldn't be a problem "if George Clooney showed up wearing a lime green tux and had a swan coming out of his ass". This can all be summed up with the fact that Chris Rock and the Academy didn't give a damn what people thought. I think this was the most real award show I've ever laid my eyes on. I liked it.

In the midst of all of the jokes regarding racism, Stacey Dash returned to the face of the earth to make an appearance that the whole world could do without to wish everyone a "Happy Black History Month". I'm still scratching my head figuring out why she was even there. WHY?!?!

Some better moments of the night, keeping with the focus on the lack of diversity in Hollywood, include multiple black actors and actresses changing things up in 2016 Oscar nominated films. Let's just say the films were 1000 times better and not just because Whoopie Goldberg, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones and Chris Rock were in them. Okay, maybe I fibbed just a tad. There was also the time Chris Rock interviewed moviegoers in Compton about white people films. They were clueless. There's a high possibility that it could have been scripted, or at least that was the vibe I got while watching. And we can't forget the moment Chris Rock became "Best Dad of the Year" when he made a bunch of rich actors feel guilty and buy cookies from his daughter's girl scout group. Wise move, Chris. Wise move.

I feel like there were a few things that happened in between all of the Hollywood is racist talk, but they'll be overshadowed by all of the things that I mentioned above (this includes Leo winning his first Oscar). For example, Spotlight won Best Picture. Brie Larson won Best Actress. Mark Rylance caught us all off guard and snubbed Sylvester Stallone by winning Best Supporting Actor. Jacob Tremblay won an Oscar for being adorable (this happened in my mind and not in real life just to clarify). Lady Gaga made us feel all of the feelings when she performed her Oscar nominated song "Till It Happens To You." But none of that matters (okay, maybe people will remember Lady Gaga's captivating performance). It didn't even feel like an award show. It felt more like a 3 and a half hour guilt trip.

It's understandable to have it in the opening and a few snarky comments here and there. Maybe I'm just not used to it being talked about this much and I'm opening my eyes to the problem. Or maybe they just dragged it out way too long. Regardless, the point was made and there are going to be a lot of changes made between now and the 2016/2017 award season (I can't believe this season is already over).

What did you guys think of the show in general? Do you think they did the hot topic of this awards season justice?

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