The Oscars, Hollywood, and Why We Need Our Own Stories
I watched the Oscars this year, and honestly—it was hilarious. The whole thing felt like a comedy show, even though it’s supposed to be serious. Maybe Hollywood should just make the Oscars a comedy every year, because right now, it’s full of contradictions, hype, and politics masquerading as awards.
Take Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film. I haven’t seen it, but from what I’ve heard, it threw every actor you could name into one movie. It’s like Hollywood saying, “We’re going to fix the world through film, and it’s all going to be solved by their kid.” The arrogance of that idea is striking. History and struggle are reduced to plot points, and the real people who lived it—our ancestors—are erased. Hollywood never shows black men and women united as a force to solve societal problems. Instead, they hand off the responsibility, saying, “Our children will fix it.” That’s the equivalent of leaving your housekeeper a mess and expecting the kids to clean it. It trivializes centuries of pain, labor, and struggle.
Throughout the Oscars, the jokes fell flat. Conan O’Brien’s humor was dry. And while they praised certain films for addressing social issues, the industry itself remains deeply hypocritical. Roman Polanski is still supported, yet no one calls it out. Black Americans built the foundation of this country, and yet we’re rarely acknowledged—even when our culture is front and center in music or film.
Colorism is still real. Lighter-skinned actors like Zendaya are often the “face” of a generation, while equally talented darker-skinned actors are overlooked. Recognition isn’t just about talent; it’s about fitting the image Hollywood wants to celebrate.
Awards politics are just that—politics. Timing, connections, and marketing influence who wins. Michael B. Jordan’s performances deserved more recognition, yet the system favored other favorites. Films aren’t judged solely on merit—they’re judged on who can get the most attention, who’s connected, and who the industry has already decided should rise.
Finally, Hollywood isn’t taking risks anymore. Original ideas get sidelined in favor of remakes and reboots. Frankenstein, Hamlet, classic stories—they’re recycled endlessly, while bold, new ideas struggle to find funding or audiences. Creativity is sacrificed for safety and profit.
The solution is clear: Black filmmakers need to tell our own stories. We know our history, our struggles, and our communities better than anyone else. Until we take control of the narrative, Hollywood will continue to entertain while misrepresenting, erasing, and trivializing us.
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