In tonight's program there were 24 categories in which individuals, specific production teams, and entire films could win awards based on achievement in the film industry. Out of those categories acknowledging the work of a single person or team there were 25 women nominated (outside of those categories exclusive to gender, i.e. best actor/actress in a leading role) or were part of a group award. Out of those 25 women nominated, 7 women won or were part of a group that won an award (consisting of a total of 6 categories). Furthermore, of the women who were a part of winning an award, two won awards in categories that would be stereo-typically associated with a woman's 'role' in society (i.e. Best Make-up Design and Costume Design).
Interestingly enough I found that while watching the awards show, at first I didn't think of it being strange that men were consistently being brought up on stage in numbers far surpassing those of women. Then I realized that this was another example of institutionalized sexism and how we have all been conditioned to think of it as a normal part of a functioning society.
We see how this could be a problem when we look at the other forms of media in which men are in charge. Not only does it not offer a diverse view of the issues and situations we're seeing in these films, but it is likely to further marginalized already oppressed groups.
I think that it's important to look at all aspects of our lives that could be promoting a patriarchal system of oppression even avenues that we may not immediately think of. While I'm sure that many of the men who won their awards this evening were plenty qualified and deserving of the award, my issues lie in the fact that women aren't even given a chance to exhibit their skills and or talents. Levels of women in film production are low to begin with, of course men are winning the awards.
The list of winners and nominees can be found at: http://oscar.go.com/
Honestly, I've never really thought about the Oscars in this case. I've always been into the Oscars and try to watch the awards show every year. I was aware that men are usually involved, quite a lot, and that really only important women are recognized on stage presenting awards or receiving them. Like for instance, Kerry Washington. She was in the new movie Django Unchained playing as the black slave. She is currently playing in the new hit series Scandal, which I do not watch. But from what I hear is really good.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this just came to my mind, but when was the last time a woman was hired to be the host of the awards show?? Seriously, when? I don't remember a year where a woman hosted the show. I remember Hugh Jackman and Billy Crystal. Oh wait, didn't Anne Hathaway host one year? Nevermind. But seriously, before Anne, who was the last woman to host the show? It seems like women are not being taken as seriously in the movie world. They are being recognized, but not as much as they could be. They are important too, as you've stated.
Men are important too, but why can't everyone be treated equally? Why is that so hard for people to do? We are all the same, its just that some of us have a vagina and the others have a penis. That's the only difference! So, why are we, as a country, having this hard of a time with this concept? It shouldn't be this hard, and someone has to do something, and it should be pretty soon before things get worse.
Another example from the Oscars of institutionalized sexism was shown in Seth MacFarlene's "We Saw Your Boobs" song. http://youtu.be/7TWLKP8j0zk
ReplyDeleteNot only is the song immature, it trivializes many of the situations like rape in which the "boobs" are seen in the movies mentioned. For instance, MacFarlene mentioned Hilary Swank's breasts that are shown after her character in Boys Don't Cry was brutally raped. Another pair of "boobs" referenced are those of Jodie Foster’s in The Accused where her character is violently gang-raped. Both of these movies are based on real life events as well.
MacFarlene not only objectified these actresses, he also trivialized violence against women for the sake of comedy. Also, this was overall perceived as funny by the audience and by people watching the Oscars at their homes. This "hilarious" song is only reinforcing sexist ideas such as objectification and the perception of violence against women as insignificant.