From the time I could remember I have always loved watching the Academy Awards which took place this past Sunday night. For the 88th time, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded its highest honor to men and women whose contributions to the magic of movies inspire, enlighten and entertain people from around the world.
There has been much criticism of the Academy this past year for its lack of diversity. Yes, it is true that all 20 actors and actresses nominated this year were white. The Academy is already at work trying to make its membership reflect the diversity of the world rather than a select few. For many the issue is not about prejudice, but about opportunity. When you examine the history of the Academy though, you will find that underneath the present issue is a deep commitment to compassion, equality and creativity.
In 1939, long before anybody knew Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, the Academy bestowed an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress to Hattie McDaniel for her amazing role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. Nominated for the first time for Little Women in 1934 and finally winning an Oscar for My Fair Lady in 1965, George Cukor was an openly gay director who was respected and embraced in the Hollywood community. These are just two examples of how Hollywood was ahead of its time.
During World War II the Academy was deeply involved in raising funds through the sale of War Bonds to assist the battle against evil taking place in the world. During the war many actors turned in their scripts and fight for freedom. Two-time Oscar nominee Leslie Howard (Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind) died in battle. In 1942, another Oscar nominee, Carole Lombard died in a plane crash returning to California from a tour to sell war bonds.
The Academy this year awarded its highest honor, Best Picture, to the movie Spotlight. This movie takes an important look into the sex abuse scandal that rocked the Roman Catholic Church. Oscar has over the years awarded its best picture to movies that not only entertain, but inform. Movies challenge our humanity and act as witness to our compassion as a human family. From Chariots of Fire, to Rocky to Sound of Music and so many more, we are privileged to experience a glimpse of the divine through the magic of movies. Movies stir our souls, challenge our complacency, and inform our conscience and unite us in a common cause. From the environment (Erin Brockivich) to injustice (Selma) to acceptance (Forrest Gump) movies offer us the gift of being better angels of our nature. I do not know about you, but I have had several spiritual experiences at the movies. Thank you Oscar for helping to keep this gift alive!
The Rev. Ron Abrams serves as Rector of St. James. He and his wife are native Long Islanders, have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two dogs. Before answering the call to St. James, Ron was Rector of Holy Trinity in Fayetteville, NC; Rector of St. Ann’s in Bridgehampton, NY; and Assistant at St. Mark’s, Westhampton Beach, NY. Ron is also an avid Yankees fan and historian.
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