The New Trier News The 385 Friday, February 17, 2017 5 Award shows becoming more politicized And when the powerful use their “Nevertheless, she persisted.” Oscars going to cap position to bully others we all lose,” While the song itself was off another political Streep said. intensely political, the background Further, Streep acknowledged of the stage, after imitating the awards show season the need for the press and the shattering of the bubble, pieced itself by Tia Rotolo privilege of her position as an actress back together with the preamble of to speak out against the issues within the Constitution, specifically “We This award season, Hollywood the United States. It was at this the People.” Perry left the stage with hasn’t shied away from being a moment, Hollywood took note. one final remark, hand in hand with part of the political conversation as The political-driven speeches Marley, “No hate!” Perry said. actresses and musicians use both didn’t stop with Streep, they had only “We The People” became a their screen time and speeches to begun. recurring theme as A Tribe Called speak out against the current political However, the political nature Quest performed their recent single landscape. of Streep’s speech wasn’t solely met off of their politically-charged It all started with Meryl Streep’s with support. Many criticized her for album. Golden Globes speech on Jan 8. speaking about politics, believing it With Anderson Paak, She began by speaking of the great wasn’t an actress’s place to do so. Consequence and Busta Rhymes diversity in Hollywood, specifically A week later at the Screen Actors Meryl Streep receiving the Cecil B. Demille award AP Images in full support, the group began the variety of where people in the Guild Awards, Kerry Washington their tribute for Phife Dawg, while audience came from and who they quickly refuted this assumption with surpassed the rest. up in applause, nodding heads in simultaneously shutting down end up playing. her acceptance speech: “But the truth David Harbour, Police Chief passion-induced support. The room Trump’s agenda. Continuing, Streep noted is, actors are activists no matter what, Jim Hopper from “Stranger Things,” was on fire, preaching acceptance Busta Rhymes saluted Trump the specific time when President because we embody the worth and delivered his winning speech after and justice. The typical speech of as “President Agent Orange.” At the Donald Trump mocked a reporter humanity of all people.” the show won Best Ensemble. Riled thanking producers and directors was chorus of the song in which A Tribe with disabilities. She mentions her The SAG Awards occurred up in passion, Harbour spoke of dead, in its place was political fervor Called Quest speaks out against the struggle to comprehend the event during Trump’s recent immigration repelling bullies and sheltering freaks and resistance. hate towards minorities, the same and the fact that it wasn’t a movie, ban. Ashton Kutcher spoke and outcasts. He shared his personal As the Grammys fast minorities that were being sung but real life. specifically of its influence as he feelings of the duties of actors and approached, audiences were about, joined A Tribe Called Quest Shocked by Donald Trump’s opened the show. actresses as they recreate life. wondering how musicians would on stage. complete lack of respect and After greeting viewers, he also “And through our art to battle react to the recent election via their The song finished as everyone compassion, Streep shared her took time to greet those who were against fear, self-centeredness and music and speeches. on stage stood with a black power worries for its influence in the future. currently waiting to be allowed exclusivity of our predominantly After many performances salute and one last word, “Resist.” “And this instinct to humiliate, in:“And everyone in airports that narcissistic culture and through our lacking political substance, Katy The show ended soon after, when it’s modeled by someone in belong to my America. You are a part craft to cultivate a more empathetic Perry sang her new song “Chained audiences in awe of the not-subtle the public platform, by someone of the fabric of who we are, and we and understanding society by to the Rhythm” with Skip Marley. political outcries. powerful, it filters down into love you, and we welcome you.” revealing intimate truths that serve as On the shoulder of her all-white suit, With the Oscars this coming everybody’s life, because it kinda While all of these politically- a forceful reminder to folks that when “PERSIST.” A clear reference to the Sunday, audiences can only wonder gives permission for other people to fired, liberal-leaning speeches were they feel broken and afraid and tired recent feminist rally phrase coined what political messages will be do the same thing. Disrespect invites received completely in praise and they are not alone,” Harbour said. by Senate Majority Leader Mitch made. disrespect, violence incites violence. applause, there was one that clearly The entire audience stood McConnell to Sen. Elizabeth Warren People of color well-represented Students remain unaware in this year’s of all but “La La Land” New musical is students lacked knowledge, or even After last year’s impressive achievements, but A movie about contemporary recognition of the other films. Most many were still unnerved by the African American life, “Moonlight,” all that is catching said they had not heard of half the list boycott, there is far complete absence of minority received lots of attention, as it is nominated for best picture, and most representation across the board. competing for Best Picture as well. students eyes had not seen any advertisements for more diversity in Jada Pickett Smith, an acclaimed The writer, Barry Jenkins, them. actress, tweeted, “At the Oscars is the first black screewriter Oscar nominations Senior Lucy Ellis said, “I people of color are always welcomed to have his movie recognized by Amelia Lytle couldn’t tell you about most of them, by Jesse McCauley to give out awards and even entertain, in the Best Picture category. The Oscars feature the best because there weren’t enough ads. but we are rarely recognized for Actress and movies of the year, yet many New In past years I’ve heard a lot more After a controversial awards our artistic accomplishments. actor were also Trier students are in the dark about about the big films, but the only one show last year, people of color Should people of color refrain honored for their work in the movie. the nominations. I knew about this time was La La will now have more representation from participating all together?” Ruth Negga will be competing La La Land, the film nominated Land.” at this year’s televised event. Ironically, that year’s award for her work in “Loving,” a movie for 14 Academy Awards, was the Sophomore Christian Maravilla The 2017 Oscars include people show was hosted by Chris Rock, about an interracial couple who only film nominated for best picture said he didn’t watch any of the films of color in every acting category. a well known comedian and actor. faced controversy in 1950s Virginia. that students interviewed had seen. because they didn’t seem interesting The nominations include six people In his opening, he joked, Another minority actor, Although the film tied in this year, compared to years past. of color, which is a new record. “I’m here at the Academy Dev Patel, was nominated nominations with classics like Matejka and Roth also This contrasts the 2016 Oscars, Awards, otherwise known as the for his role in “Lion.” “Titanic” and “All About Eve,” it agreed they had seen more films in which not a single person of White People’s Choice Awards. The nominations did not lacked attraction with students. in past years, due to increased color received a nomination. Last You realize if they nominated stop with the actors and actresses. Junior Hannah Roth was one advertisement. year in particular, the hashtag hosts, I wouldn’t even get this Along with Jenkins, many writers of the two students interviewed who #OscarsSoWhite trended widely job. So y’all would be watching and producers received nominations. had seen it and said, “I saw La La through social media. Many Neil Patrick Harris right now.” Kimberly Steward was Land, but it didn’t live up to the actors even boycotted the show. Most of his opening speech nominated for producing “Manchester hype, I really didn’t like it.” The 2015 “Rocky” sequel, encompassed this theme. Despite his by the Sea,” August Wilson was Senior Ben Matejka chose not “Creed,” featured Michael B. Jordan undeniable humor, it still contained nominated for his contribution in to see the award winning film based portraying Apollo Creed’s son. an underlying message that only “Fences,” and Tarell Alvin McCraney, on the previews. “La La Land looked Jordan was not nominated for an scratched the surface of the problem. who collaborated with Jenkins in horrible. I hate musicals.” award, but Sylvester Stallone was Maybe in a room full “Moonlight,” was nominated too. Most students who had not nominated for Best Supporting Actor. of actors, comedy was the On the documentary front, seen the movie remained interested The movie was also written way to expose the issue. Ava DuVernay, Raoul Peck, regardless of their peers negative This, along with a lack of and directed by Ryan Coogler, Whether it was Pinkett, Rock, Ezra Edelman, and Roger Ross reviews. interest and a lack of time seem to be a black man. However, Coogler or any other celebrity who vocalized Williams were all nominated for “La La Land looks amazing, the driving forces why Trevians were did not receive recognition either. the issue, the message hit home. their respective documentaries. I still really want to see it. It’s also so in the dark about the nominated Similarly, “Straight Outta Now, in 2017, more diversity has The list goes on. The won so many awards this season Oscar films. Compton” featured many young been brought to the award show. nominations are overwhelming which makes me think it must be Seniors Tay Munson and Lucy black actors, including Jason was compared to the past two years. good,” Senior Camille Graham said. Ellis both shared that they didn’t Mitchell and Corey Hawkins. nominated for his role in “Fences,” Now that the diversity is in Graham shared that the have time to watch the movies. The The film was written by F. Gary which is also up for Best Picture. With place, hopefully the award show appealing advertisements, songs, students were too busy with school Gary, also black. However, the only this nomination, Washington is now can carry out its main function: to and A-list actors captured her work, extracurriculars, and family nominations for this movie went to the most nominated black actor. His appreciate the artistic work that the interest in the film. obligations. the two Caucasian screenplay writers. co-star, , was nominated movie industry produces each year. Graham was not alone in being Although New Trier students In that year, winners included for Best Supporting Actress. The Oscars is set to air on Feb. interested in the film. Critics like lacked knowledge on the nominated Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in “Hidden Figures,” another 26 with Jimmy Kimmel as host. Business Insider, IndieWire, and films, the Oscars remains the most “The Revenant,” Brie Larson for her movie up for best picture, stars Empire Online all predict La La viewed night in Hollywood as well role in “Room,” and Octavia Spencer. Spencer portrays a Land to take home the Best Picture as the provider of the most coveted for her role in “The Danish Girl.” black woman who worked her way Awardon Feb 26. Hollywood awards. Not to discredit these up in NASA in the era of John Glenn. Aside from this movie,