The Oscars

There seems to be a serious disconnect between the real world and the celebutized fallacy of the award show. Celebrities dress in clothing that rivals the GDP of third world countries, spend the evening congratulating one another and who portrayed the best false version of someone else, and then award one another in a celebration that does little more than reinforce our perceptions that they are untouchable, divine beings unlike our crude and poor human race. But still, somehow, the appeal and viewership is gravitational bordering upon obsessive.

And while I must admit that certain celebrities do sacrifice their time and much of their money, and many others try to raise awareness for particular charities or causes, the majority live in a sterilized personal Olympus, devoid of public (and most likely private) recognition of the atrocities and disparities that exist just beyond the shine of the lights. On the Oscars last night no celebrity mentioned the impending layoff disaster and deep budget cuts that our government is struggling through, including the first lady, Michelle Obama, who was given a cameo to name an award winner.

Is the reason because they don't care, or because they are promoting an illusory world? One of the major problems with our world is the perception versus the reality of everyday life. When children, potential activists and the general public view an award show they are transported into an utopian society which strips them of their cares, priorities and responsibilities. I, too, am at fault for this, as I have all too often fallen for the disguised world of celebutized thought-killing fodder. But I want to try to make a change.

Which brings me to the thesis of this post. Can the award shows next year mention at least some of the problems in our world, try to urge the public into some kind of activism to solve or at least address something pertinent to our or someone else's survival? Mention global warming, the many genocides, impending nuclear war, extinctions, conflicts, growing homeless/poor population, stray animal populations, hungry children, forgotten elderly, etc.? I think we, as a people who look to celebrities to portray the kind of romantic ideals which we want to possess, need to know that they care about issues and that these things still exist. When we ignore things we tend to continue to ignore them, but if our idols mention them and take a stance toward them, perhaps we as a greater population also will.

I feel like there can be no better award acceptance speech than to stand in front of the academy without speaking and instead hold up a piece of paper that reads "Because we do not speak of the ills of our world, I will not speak either."