The Oscars, one of the most prestigious awards shows in the film industry, is set to take place on March 27, 2023. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the event, recently announced plans to pay tribute to Sacheen Littlefeather during the show. Littlefeather is best known for her controversial appearance at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, where she declined Marlon Brando's Best Actor award on his behalf, in protest against the treatment of Native Americans in the film industry.
However, Littlefeather's sisters, who are also Native American activists, have spoken out against the planned tribute. They argue that the Oscars have not done enough to address the issues that Littlefeather raised in 1973, and that a tribute to her would be nothing more than a hollow gesture.
In a statement, Littlefeather's sisters said, "We appreciate that the Academy wants to honor our sister Sacheen's activism, but the truth is that the film industry is still largely insensitive to the concerns of Native Americans. Hollywood continues to appropriate our culture and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Until there is real change, any tribute to Sacheen is meaningless."
The statement echoes the sentiments of many Native American activists, who have long criticized Hollywood for its lack of diversity and representation. According to a study by the University of Southern California, only 0.3% of lead characters in Hollywood films from 2007 to 2018 were Native American. This underrepresentation, combined with harmful stereotypes and appropriation, has contributed to the marginalization of Native Americans in the film industry and beyond.
The Oscars have faced similar criticism in recent years, particularly for their lack of diversity in nominations and award winners. In response, the Academy has taken steps to increase diversity and inclusion, such as inviting more diverse members to join its ranks and implementing new eligibility requirements for Best Picture nominees. However, these efforts have been met with mixed reviews, with some critics arguing that they do not go far enough.
In light of the controversy surrounding the planned tribute to Sacheen Littlefeather, the Academy has not yet commented on whether it will proceed with the tribute as planned. However, the statement from Littlefeather's sisters serves as a powerful reminder that there is still much work to be done to address the issues of representation and diversity in the film industry, particularly for marginalized communities like Native Americans.
In conclusion, while the planned tribute to Sacheen Littlefeather at the 2023 Oscars is a well-intentioned gesture, it has been met with criticism from Native American activists who argue that it is not enough to address the ongoing issues of representation and diversity in the film industry. Until the real change is made, any tribute to Littlefeather or other activists like her will be nothing more than a symbolic gesture.
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