Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 April 2002 — Page 3

FRIDAY, APRIL 5,2002

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

OSCAR Continued from A1 death of his son. iW^ia and Hank have a steamy love affair that addresses the taboo of interracial relationships. Washington won his statue for his portrayal of a violent narcotics officer, who bends the law to his wishes and instructs his fellow police officers to do the same in ‘Training Day,” a film co-starring Ethan Hawke. “They (Berry and Washington) both are extremely talented individuals, so it is not a question of ability,” said Hilliard. “However, regarding the roles, there are some issues that need to be addressed.” Take a look at the symbolism, he said. “When you take the time to look back at all of the roles African Americans have won Oscar awards for, you see that they have all been roles where the actor or actress was in a position of (servitude),” he said. “More often than not, you will find some form of negative portrayal. None of these roles have been really powerful roles that touch on our most heroic people, not individually, but as a people.” Nathan McCall, a former Washington Post and Atlanta JournalConstitution reporter, and currently a visiting lecturer at Emory University, was not surprised at the outcome of the Oscar awards. McCall said he had a “weird” reaction to the actors' accomplishments. “The first thing that came to mind was (conservative Supreme Court Judge) Clarence Thomas,” he said. “Many people feel that the Republicans chose one of the most despicable people they could have chosen to hold the one of the highest positions in the land. The voters of the academy chose two of the most distasteful performances to give the highest award possible.” This scenario happens too frequently to wave off as coincidence, McCall continued. “Many actors and actresses have played roles that were outstanding over the years, but they never received any acclaim for them,” he said. “In regards to the role that Halle played, what type of message are African Americans supposed to get from that character?” Hilliard added that in the movie, Berry’s character rejected the two Black men closest to her in her life (her husband and son), and looked to a racist white man to “feel good.” “I cannot imagine a Jewish actress playing that role and falling in love with a Nazi soldier,” said Hilliard. “The symbolism is as negative as it gets. I am worried because this movie, this role and this award has been accepted by the African-American community.” What is needed is a “critical filter,” where Blacks examine how they are represented on the silver screen, and the impact the portrayals have throughout the movie industry, said Hilliard. “Instead of being so caught up in being the first, second or even making history, we need to be concerned with wanting and fighting for excellence,” said Hilliard. “We should look for and want things that contribute to our upliftment. “They made history, so what? Why does an award have to tell us what is excellent or awesome? Is there nothing an actor will or will not do?” He continued: “These facts, this situation or example of tokenism should spark conversation in the African-American community. All because we receive a crumb does not mean we need to start rejoicing. We need to be more astute as to what we will and will not accept.” Other African Americans who won Oscars include: • Hattie McDaniel, best supporting actress, 1939, ‘’Gone With the Wind.’’ • Sidney Poitier, best actor, 1963, ‘’Lilies of the Field.”

• Louis Gossett Jr., best supporting actor, 1982, ‘’An Officer and a Gentleman.” • Denzel Washington, best supporting actor, 1989, ‘’Glory.” • Whoopi Goldberg, best supporting actress, 1990, ‘’Ghost.” • Cuba Gooding Jr., best supporting actor, 1996, ‘’Jerry Maguire.” Two special Oscars have been awarded to Black actors: •James Baskett, 1948, honorary Oscar for playing Uncle Remus in “Song of the South.” • Sidney Poitier, 2002, honorary

Oscar for lifetime achievement. Kweisi Mfume, president/CEO of the NAACP congratulated Berry and Washington, saying their accomplishments give African Americans hope. “If this is a sign that Hollywood is finally ready to give opportunity and judge performance based on skill and not on skin color, then it is a good thing,” he said. “However, if this proves to be a momentary flash in a long history of neglect, then Hollywood has failed to learn the real meaning of equality.”

National leader attends Wilson’s funeral National civic leader Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. Esq., offers words of comfort during funeral services for the late Clifford Wilson, Sr. Jordan was a long time friend of Wilson, who passed away on March 22. He was 96 years-old. An innovative scientist, Wilson was hired at Eli Lilly & Co. in 1929 as a window washer and later became the company’s first Mack lab technician. (Photo/ Jim Buntin)

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