#diversity win for the academy

[plasticbabyart]

My old art is so ugly Spyro im so sorry spare me and my family I beg of you-

Anyway JV and Snapshot are Gay AND British pass that along gamers !!!

Going tondraw more JV I swear I'll make myself do it him and his adopted trio of menaces (I also like to think he adopted dark spyro Jason Ritter cannot die) eventually I'll do it gamers I promise (Maybe... maybe)

[landscaping-your-mind]

you can sooo easily turn all the inconsistencies in the doctor's whole family situation into complex n fucked up family dynamics it's so easy you should do it right now

[queen-boudicca]

[Image description: a picture of Viktor Hargreeves from season four of the umbrella academy /end description]

I’ll concede that the final season of Umbrella Academy wasn’t that good, but one of my favorite throwaway bits is that Viktor has been dumped by every girl in his town but clearly not because he’s trans, he’s just bad at dating

[kingofmyborrowedheart]

I think the Academy often tries to make amends for not nominating films that highlight marginalized voices in the past but they end up over correcting and instead pick films that don’t do the best in terms of representation for those voices.

[incorrect-web-novels]

The Demon Prince Goes to the Academy, Chapter 615

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 LOVE WINS 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[alasarys]

Recommended books for the drivers from BookPeople, Austin, Texas (insta)

Daniel Ricciardo: Friday Night Lights – "... every Friday night from September to December, when the Permian High School Panthers play football, this West Texas town becomes a place where dreams can come true."

Lando Norris: Assassin's Apprentice – "Fitz ... must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin."

Alex Albon: My Brilliant Friend – "... a rich, intense and generous-hearted story about two friends ... a touching meditation on the nature of friendship."

Logan Sargeant: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – "hilarious, delicious, and brutal"

Yuki Tsunoda: A Cook's Tour – "the unpredictable adventures of America's boldest and bravest chef."

Carlos Sainz: Great American Golf Stories – "some of the best classic writings, both fact and realistic fiction, that reflect the rich history, tradition, agony, and ecstasy of one of our most enduring and endearing pastimes."

Oscar Piastri: Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting – "It turns out that talking to strangers can teach you about the world around you--and even more about yourself."

Lance Stroll: Infinite Jest – "Set in an addicts' halfway house and a tennis academy, and featuring the most endearingly screwed-up family to come along in recent fiction, Infinite Jest explores essential questions about what entertainment is and why it has come to so dominate our lives; about how our desire for entertainment affects our need to connect with other people; and about what the pleasures we choose say about who we are."

Charles Leclerc: Every Good Boy Does Fine – "[Denk] reminds us that we must never stop asking questions about music and its purposes: consolation, an armor against disillusionment, pure pleasure, a diversion, a refuge, and a vehicle for empathy."

Lewis Hamilton: The Boy with a Bird in his Chest – "A heartbreaking yet hopeful novel about the things that make us unique and lovable, The Boy with a Bird in His Chest grapples with the fear, depression, and feelings of isolation that come with believing that we will never be loved, let alone accepted, for who we truly are, and learning to live fully and openly regardless."

Max Verstappen: Atomic Habits – "Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship ..."

Zhou Guanyu: A Visible Man – "When Edward Enninful became the first Black editor-in-chief of British Vogue, few in the world of fashion wanted to confront how it failed to represent the world we live in. But Edward, a champion of inclusion throughout his life, rapidly changed that."

Pierre Gasly: Misery – "He's a bestselling novelist who has finally met his biggest fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes and she is more than a rabid reader – she is Paul's nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house."

Valtteri Bottas: Foundryside – "To have a chance at surviving ... Sancia will have to marshal unlikely allies ... and undergo her own transformation ..."

Fernando Alonso: The House of the Spirits – "an enthralling saga that spans decades and lives, twining the personal and the political into an epic novel of love, magic, and fate."

Kevin Magnussen: The Daily Dad – "366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids"

Sergio Perez: Bad Feminist – "an inspiring call-to-arms of all the ways we still need to do better"

Building on the excellent work by @vegasgrandprix and @kritischetheologie

[icedsodapop]

Also Angela Bassett was nominated for best supporting actress as well??? And Jamie Lee Curtis won... over her???

sorry jamie lee curtis is very talented but in what world does she win all these awards over stephanie hsu!!!

[marvelmaniac715]

Here’s my only opinion on the whole Emilia Perez movie situation - before award season, I had never heard of this movie. That’s not me living under a rock, though honestly I do. It’s just that nobody I know - even film buffs - talked about it, no YouTube channels I knew reviewed it. I didn’t see it advertised, it’s been out since last October but I haven’t seen it on Netflix, nor have any music-based TikTok accounts or YouTube channels discussed the soundtrack. I genuinely have no clue where the hell this movie came from, was it summoned from the void to win BAFTAs and Oscars? Why is it more popular with the academy than Wicked, the movie that nobody has been able to stop talking about for months? Without sounding like an awful person, I think they picked this obscure movie because it has more diverse representation, even though Wicked is an allegory for racism and acceptance.

[blackinhistory]

Gwendolyn Brooks

Poet. Innovator. Cultural icon. Breaking through the constraints of conventional literature, she used the power of poetry to illuminate the rich tapestry of Black life. As the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the first Black woman to serve as Poetry Consultant for the Library of Congress, Brooks’s groundbreaking achievements challenged and redefined our cultural landscape. How does her art keep echoing through generations today?

Gwendolyn Brooks was born in 1917 in Topeka, Kansas, and raised in Chicago, where the realities of urban life shaped her early experiences. Growing up in a working-class environment, she witnessed firsthand the struggles and strengths of the Black community. These formative years provided the basis for her honest portrayals of everyday life and social conditions, which in turned influenced and shaped her later literary work.

In her early career, Brooks began publishing poems that captured the spirit of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Her debut collection, A Street in Bronzeville (1945), presented a candid look at the lives of Black residents and broke new ground by highlighting the vibrancy and hardship of the community. This work laid the foundation for her reputation as a poet who spoke directly and powerfully about the realities of race and class.

Her next major work, Annie Allen (1949), further solidified her standing in the literary world. This collection, which won her the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950 (the first African-American to receive such an honor), combined a social perspective with innovative poetic form. Brooks’s ability to blend personal narrative with broader social commentary was also demonstrated in later pieces such as the widely published poem “We Real Cool,” which connected with readers for its thoughtful depiction of youth and marginalization.

Beyond her published work, Brooks played an active role in the literary community. She organized public readings, led workshops, and mentored emerging writers in Chicago, fostering an environment where diverse voices could be heard. Her efforts helped to build a stronger, more inclusive literary culture that connected art with everyday social struggles.

Breaking institutional barriers, Brooks made history as the first Black woman to serve as Poetry Consultant for the Library of Congress. In this role, she worked to broaden the appeal and reach of poetry, ensuring that the art form addressed contemporary issues and reached a wider audience. Her work in this position reflected her commitment to both artistic excellence and public service.

Her career was marked by numerous prestigious accolades. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Brooks was honored with awards such as the National Medal of Arts, the MacArthur Fellowship, and the NAACP Spingarn Medal. These recognitions underscored her influence as a writer and her dedication to addressing themes of social justice, race, and identity.

Brooks passed away on December 3, 2000, but her legacy endures through her body of work and the impact she had on American literature and culture. 

Photo Source: Chicago Literary Archive Source: Wikipedia Source: The Poetry Foundation Source: Britannica Source:  Academy of American Poets

[celadons-penultimate]

Marvel has such great potential in STRANGE ACADEMY. A live-action or animated adaptation alone could be a huge win, whether it closely follows the comics or not, as long as they give us the diverse, inclusive stories that JK Rowling's Wizarding World fails to.

Strange Academy's diversity is a central feature, not an "exotic" aside. It unites people across various cultures, so you see Norse runic magic, Voodoo practice, Aztec nahual lore & more, performed not just by fictional creatures, but women, people w/ melanin & LGBTQ ppl.

Strange Academy's headmaster is Dr. Jericho Drumm aka Doctor Voodoo & various fan favorites act as instructors to the young mages, to humorous effect: Wong, the Ancient One, Magik, Scarlet Witch, Nico Minoru, Agatha Harkness, Talisman, Daimon Hellstrom, etc

Strange Academy's prominent students INCLUDE:

-Zoe Laveau (zombie/necromancer/aspiring lich? & descendant of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau)

-Germán (Nahual animal mage)

-Iric & Alvi (Asgardian twin sons of Amora the Enchantress)

-Emily Bright (newcomer on an interesting path)

-Doyle (nbd, just a son of The Dread Dormammu™)

Strange Academy is set here in the United States, not another dimension or some other fictional locale; specifically, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

You get plenty of charismatic flavor & mystic color, whether you're reading about the mortal or mystical aspects of magical school life.

Rather than typical YA-style focus on a singular "chosen one" & companions, Strange Academy offers engaging ensemble narration that addresses multiple story lines w/ due respect, all while managing to offer impressively dynamic & flamboyant magical feats.

In short, if you're a fan of Marvel, a fan of magic users & a fan of YA stories that AREN'T transphobic or otherwise characterized by bigotry (whether implicit or overtly stated), you might want to set aside any...other options, in favor of Strange Academy. 😌

[oliviatom]

In his 30s, Tom Cruise became one of Hollywood's biggest stars with a blend of action-packed blockbusters and critically acclaimed performances. His roles in films like A Few Good Men (1992), Jerry Maguire (1996), and Magnolia (1999) earned him Golden Globes winning and Academy Award nominations. The Mission: Impossible franchise, which he helped launch in 1996 as both star and producer, became a massive global hit, solidifying him as a box office powerhouse. One standout role was his portrayal of the vampire Lestat in Interview with the Vampire (1994), where he proved his versatility and ability to tackle dark, complex characters, winning over both critics and fans. This period cemented Cruise’s status as a dynamic and bankable actor, capable of balancing blockbuster appeal with diverse, challenging roles.

[alexanderwales]

Roguelite LitRPG Theorycrafting

I had a great idea for a litRPG that takes its inspiration from roguelites rather than JRPGs or Skyrim.

I do not have the time to write such a novel, and will not have time to write it into the foreseeable future. But I do have time for some theorycrafting:

A classic roguelite of the current generation has variable powers and powerups drawn from a small pool that change the character of the run over time. Maps and enemies are boundedly random. When you die, you might have some meta progression, which is usually in the form of unlocks. Sometimes this makes the game easier, but often it just adds in variety. You go until you win or die, and then you go again, starting from nothing.

To start with, I think this has to be a time loop, because it fits that pattern too well. I wrote a blog post about time loops, and would include some ideas and variations from there.

The protagonist starts every loop as a total scrub, but gets to select from a few options at the loop start (or just after) and then at either intervals or with things accomplished. The pool of powers needs to be fairly small, but large enough that we don't see repeats all that often. We want a protagonist who is forced to make the best of a bad situation.

There are a few cool things about this, but the biggest is that we get to see the protagonist solve the same problems in different ways. One one loop, getting into the compound is easy, because he has flight and invisibility, but on another loop, it requires a firefight because he's got a laser belly and can absorb flesh to regenerate. The protagonist presumably has goals, so we also have some stakes built in: all runs are not built the same. When you're on a "hot" run where it seems like everything is going your way, you can't immediately grind your way back to that if you fail. Stakes are one of the things that are sometimes lacking in time loops, so we're solving that problem as a byproduct.

Similarly, a weird power build can take the story in different places. You're able to walk through stone, and all of the sudden you realize that you can penetrate the defenses of the mage academy. You strike while the iron is hot, and uncover things that would, in a normal run, be locked away from you.

There are problems here. The biggest is that I think a lot of audiences would cry about the author's thumb being on the scale, because audiences will always cry about that no matter what. Which powers get offered to the protagonist on any given run will be under scrutiny though, and even things that aren't forced will feel like they might have been. Readers don't like that, particularly litRPG readers, who sometimes come to the genre for a sense of "fair play". I'm not sure there's a way around that, though this is one of the rare cases I feel like an author rolling dice might actually make sense, so long as it was done in a way that would be difficult to fake. This might make for a worse story though, since the author would have less control of the plot.

One of the other things that interests me is ... what if the world changed in the same way it does in a roguelite? In a normal time loop story, the world is static and predictable, but wouldn't it be interesting to write a story in a time loop that acted more like Rogue Legacy, where there are certain "anchors" and patterns to the world, but much that is random and different? The protagonist wakes in the same apartment building every time, but sometimes he's next to a park and other times it's a train station. There's a corner store three blocks away that's always exactly identical down to the misalignment of the Mars bars, always with the same woman with a streak of blue hair behind the counter. Is this meaningful, that everything changes except the things that inexplicably don't? Almost definitely. It's another mystery to unravel with every new run and a new, diverse set of powers under your belt.

There's a chance I write this at some point. There's always a chance. But I think sometimes it's good for me to sit down and think about the possibilities, then resign myself to moving on without devoting the next month's word count to something that's captured my fancy.

[brasiliangp]

Russell sees a sport "dominated by white men" and highlights the importance of F1 Academy

At an event held in the city of São Paulo to promote the Brazilian Grand Prix, taking place next weekend, George Russell highlighted the importance of the opportunities given by F1 Academy to women who want to follow a career in the sport. According to the Mercedes Briton, motorsport doesn't need just new talent inside the cars, but also in technical roles - and the exclusively female category is vital for these new professionals to arise.

"I think that F1 Academy is embarking on a great time. We don't only need drivers in Formula 1, but also in roles in engineering and in car design. I think this is a great moment for it, there is so much talent and knowledge out there. We need this as much as possible".

Russell made sure to highlight that motorsport holds the image of an elitist sport, what makes young women not always feel welcomed. According to the Briton, who complimented the inclusivity work done by Lewis Hamilton in the last years, this needs to change.

"Motorsport has always been seen as a field dominated by white men. And Lewis, of course, has been trying to change this image by increasing diversity".

"We need to see more young women receiving opportunities and not feeling like they belong in a "men's sport". We have the chance to do that. We are living in a big moment and I think this is just the beginning. But it's exciting".

"I'm excited to be back in Brazil. Last year I got my first Formula 1 win, it was an amazing result. It's always exciting to be back in Interlagos. Every time I've been there I saw the passion of Brazilian people for Formula 1. So I'm excited to start the weekend".

[larimar]

vanityfair

Donald Sutherland, whose ability to both charm and unsettle, both reassure and repulse, was amply displayed in scores of film roles as diverse as a laid-back battlefield surgeon in “M*A*S*H,” a ruthless Nazi spy in “Eye of the Needle,” a soulful father in “Ordinary People” and a strutting fascist in “1900,” died on Thursday in Miami. He was 88.

Donald McNichol Sutherland was born on July 17, 1935, in Saint John, a coastal town in New Brunswick. One of three children of Frederick McLae Sutherland, a salesman, and Dorothy (McNichol) Sutherland, a math teacher, Donald lived his formative years in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

With his long face, droopy eyes, protruding ears and wolfish smile, the 6-foot-4 Mr. Sutherland was never anyone’s idea of a movie heartthrob. He often recalled that while growing up in eastern Canada, he once asked his mother if he was good-looking, only to be told, “No, but your face has a lot of character.” He recounted how he was once rejected for a film role by a producer who said: “This part calls for a guy-next-door type. You don’t look like you’ve lived next door to anyone.”

Yet across six decades, starting in the early 1960s, he appeared in nearly 200 films and television shows — some years he was in as many as half a dozen movies. “Klute,” “Six Degrees of Separation” and a 1978 remake of “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers” were just a few of his other showcases.

A stalwart actor, Sutherland won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance in the television movie Citizen X, and another Globe for Path to War. His extensive television and film credits include M*A*S*H, Six Degrees of Separation, The Undoing, Trust, Dirty Sexy Money, and The Pillars of the Earth, among many others. In 2017, he received an Academy Honorary Award.

The patriarch of the Sutherland family, Donald is survived by his Emmy-winning son, actor Kiefer Sutherland, as well as veteran CAA Media Finance exec Roeg Sutherland. Sutherland is also survived by his wife Francine Racette; sons Rossif and Angus; daughter Rachel; and four grandchildren. Per Deadline, a private celebration of life will be held by the family.

[rustycopper4use]

Could I request for a saiko metori x male reader?

Could male reader be rich and have outstanding looks but a personality of a tsundere? (If you could can you can add that he's popular)

yes! Sorry for the wait, I had some mild burnout then on top of that I had a terrible cold (still recovering hahahahhhahaha-)

Idiots to lovers<3

Saiko Metori x Male Reader

  Originally Saiko transferred to PK academy to win the affection of Teruhashi,however, after many failed attempts he came to realize that Teruhashi was smitten over a boring pink haired male.

  He of course was bitter over it, but still he stayed. And days pass, against his better judgment he fell head over heels for Y/n L/n.

 He wasn’t able to pin point when he fell, I guess from a glance it was obvious why anyone who fall for Y/n. His drop dead gorgeous looks, and all the money in the world to spoil any fool rotten.    

 He was quite popular among the students, a day wouldn’t pass by when he would get love confessions.

  But you seemed rather  abrasive towards the attention, you’ve never excepted any of the confessions. 

  You had this standoff personality, coming off as rude at times. You never really meant to be the way you are, it’s just you never were comfortable with displays of affection, a trait forced upon you.

  You ended up poking fun, or teasing as a way to convey closenesses you had for a person.

 This of course included Saiko. 

  You would always be close by to him, it was rare to see you apart funnily enough. 

 You’d poke fun at his arrogant personality,  and tease him for his lack of self awareness. It was a wonder he could stand you.

  Each day you would find yourself, growing more attached to him. Despite you twos constant bickering.

 Seasons passed or rather repeated, and the class started an ongoing bet, it was to see if you two would shut up and emit your obvious feelings for one an other. It got so popular the staff and teachers were joining in.

  There were three different categories for betting.

   First was who was going to confess first, majority said you.

  Second was when, the most popular answers were: two weeks from now, end of the year, and never.

   Final bet was how, that one now was very diverse with its answers. Some being the classic love note, by accident, and all the way to a dramatic life or death event forcing you two to emit you undying love for each other.

 Saiko was kept unaware of the morally questionable acts of the class, however Y/n was told about this, some idiot folded to his interrogation.

   When you found out of course you were taken aback, were you that obvious. But another idea came to mind.

 You pulled one of the students off to the side, and told them to place a bet for you under their name. They questioned the fairness of it all, but you forced them to do it.

  Your bet was: You, Tomorrow, and by a note.

  The student did your bidding, looks and a bit of hush up money does wonders. 

 You were going to use this bet to your advantage, you would finally… confess… your… love.. to him…

  You began to freak out a very reasonable and normal amount over your brash decision.

  What were you going to do! You clearly didn’t think this thoroughly.

  You spent the rest of the school day writing draft after draft for your love note. Being a perfectionist with inconsistent motivation was truly a personal hell for you.

  After awhile the words all looked the same. You were a prodigy at writing. a praise given by many teachers. And yet here you sit, pathetically struggling with a simple note, it was as if you’ve completely forgotten the skill.

  The day ends much to your dismay, and you dragged yourself home, knowing you’re going to need to sacrifice your sleep for this dumb idea.

  And in your frustration, you’ve completely avoided Saiko. Too caught up in your misery to notice.

  With a sigh, you enter to your house. No one was home, your parents once again failing to notice you of their overseas travel.

 You ripped open your bag, and dig through it looking for the crumble piece of paper.

  You haphazardly throw the paper on the living room table. You just stare at the paper, with rips,  pencil smudged everywhere.

  You just leave it there, even looking at it gives you a less than pleasant wave of anxiety.

  You grabbed a new sheet of paper out your chaotically organized bag, and start a new one. However you notice your hands, stained with ink, and graphite from the countless letters. 

 Will this even be worth it?

  The thought that has been nagging at the back of your head finally made its ugly return.

  You were doubtful of the benefit of doing such a decision.

  Does he actually care about you, or does he put up with you because you’re something that amused him doomed to be tossed away when he’s sick of you.

  There was no reason for him to waste so much of his time with you if you were just that, it was unreasonable!

  Though Saiko wasn’t a perosn of reason.

 You were practically pulling yourself apart at the seems.

  A gush of air flies past you, you look out and see a window open. Odd given that you don’t remember it being open before. You turn to around and see a fully written note on the table, with the old one nowhere to be seen. 

 Did you write this?

  You look at the letter, and it is your handwriting. And the contents of the letter with nicely written, a little more lovey dovey to your liking but still.

  You groan, how could you forget that you finished a letter already, sure you were a bit forgetful, but not to this extent.

  But none the less you were grateful it was finished now.

 But unknown by you, the letter was written by Saiki! Or rather copied by a rather sickening cheesy rom-com.

  He was doing this of course because he was sick and tired of you and Saiko being rather annoying idiots.

 There was alternative motives to his assistant, he placed a similar bet that you did not out of free will however since his loveable idiots that leached off him forced him to do so.

   Even going as far as adding that if he won, the group would buy him coffee jelly for the rest of the month. And how could he pass up that offer! So he decided to push you along the right path, making sure you don’t back out.

  But back to you,

The morning comes, and you are filled with dread. All you do is push his buttons so how could he—

  The thought gets muffled.

 You got out of bed and went through your usual routine. And left the house, making your way towards PK academy.

 You arrived at the front gates of the school, and to your surprise there was a crowd forming infront of the school, waiting in baited breathe.

  It wasn’t abnormal that a crazy impossible event arises out of thin air, it’s basically the norm at this point.

  But something about this felted off,  you couldn’t place your finger on it.

  It was almost like they were waiting for you.

 You felt uncomfortable with the eyes burning through you, and tried to enter the building but a voice stops you.

  “Y/n!”

You turned around and saw Saiko, the crowd starts watching the two, as if it was a some TV show.

 “What do you need this time?” You grinned. Trying to hide your nerves.

 “I have something I must confess to you!” He confidently spoke.

  “Okay, what is it?” You spoke, a little out off by his tone.

  “I have fallen in love with you!” He swoons, pulling out an absurdly big bouquet out of nowhere.

 “What?” You barely get out the words, staring dumbfounded by his actions.

  “I have be in-love with you since I’ve laid my eyes on you! Your looks, your passion. You would be the perfect match for me!” He rants, as the crowd cheered for him.

 You choked out a laugh, and before you could stop yourself you go into a laughing fit, the stress building up from the last few hours finally pouring out.

  “You idiot!” You run a hand through your hair. 

  The crowd gasps, clearly not predicting this turn of events.

 “Only you would make a big spectacle over this.” You giggled, as Saiko lowered the flowers slightly not sure what to do now.

 “I should’ve known you would’ve tried to make a move first! And to think I could’ve beaten you to it!” You snickered, pulling out the nicely sealed love note.

  “-Such a shame really, I wanted to take you off guard and romantically sweep you off your feet.” 

 The crowd is confused trying to make out the meaning of your words.

“Wait, you share the same feelings as me?” Saiko furrowed his brows.

  “You’re an idiot.” You grumbled, you grab him harshly by the button up shirt, and pulled him into a kiss. 

  The crowd erupted in cheers.

 You pull back with a sly grin, Saiko out his element of not having control, just absentmindedly puts his hand to his lips. Trying to mesmerize the feeling of your lips.

  “Does that answer your question.” You teased, as Saiko slightly nods his head.

 “Aw did I break you.” You cooed, now holding his face in your hands.

   No answer.

   The bell rings much to everyone’s dismay.

Everyone starts shuffling back into the school, some linger willing to risk being late for this moment.

  You sighed, before giving him another kiss.

  “I’ll see you after school for our date-“

“My little prince.” You began walking away,   With a cocky smile on your face.

 You enter the building doors, and make a dash for the men’s bathroom. You make a quick check to see if anyone is there with you.

  You hide your face in your hands, muffing an embarrass groan. You were burning up, and you could feel your heart beat. You stay in the bathroom, rethinking the ways you could’ve done it better.

 With the sappy moment, the story ends.

But Saiki is upset at this, he betted on you growing a pear and confessing. But nooo Saiko just had to do it himself. 

  Now he has to deal with another lovesick couple and to add insult to injury, he doesn’t get his coffee jelly now because of it.

[ericdeggans]

Why hoping Lily Gladstone won an Oscar does not equal valuing race over talent.

Social media is never a great place to have discussions about race and culture. The real issues at hand are way too nuanced and detailed for outrage factories like X/Twitter and Instagram to handle.

Still, I was disappointed to see so many people – perhaps willfully – missing the point online when discussion rose after the Oscars about Lily Gladstone failing to win best actress honors.

No doubt, a win for Gladstone ��� who would have been the first Native American woman to earn a major acting Oscar – also would have felt like a serious triumph for champions touting the power of diversity in film.

Feeling the love big time today, especially from Indian Country. Kittō”kuniikaakomimmō”po’waw - seriously, I love you all ❤️ (Better believe when I was leaving the Dolby Theater and walked passed the big Oscar statue I gave that golden booty a little Coup tap - Count: one 😉)

— Lily Gladstone (@lily_gladstone) March 12, 2024

Those of us who clock these things regularly knew that Emma Stone’s turn in Poor Things was most likely to spoil that scenario. Stone offered a showy-yet-accomplished performance as a singular character in an ambitious, creatively weird production. A much-loved past winner delivering a career-best effort, she was just the kind of nominee that Oscar loves to reward. And, as Vulture pointed out, modern Oscar voters seem to enjoy turning against expectations in big moments like this.

But when I expressed those feelings online – that Stone was marvelous and more than earned the award, but the Oscar academy really missed a chance to make history by overlooking Gladstone’s more subtle, quietly powerful turn in a better movie – the knives came out.

The gist of most negative reactions was the implication that I and others lamenting her loss were insisting that ethnicity should trump talent. As if the only or most important reason that an indigenous woman could be nominated for such a lofty award, is by people trying to bring social justice to the Oscars. (I guess Gladstone’s wins as best actress at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards, among others, were also nods to diversity?)

As if it couldn’t be possible that perhaps -- just perhaps -- some racial cultural preferences were mixed up in Oscar voters’ attraction to the story of a beautiful, young white woman who has loads of sex while learning to define herself in a male dominated world.

What really disappointed me, however, was reading an analysis which reached all the way back to the 2017 Oscars to imply that one reason Barry Jenkins’ masterpiece Moonlight won best picture honors over La La Land was the pressure to bring social justice to the Oscars.

Talk about missing the point by a mile. What I’m driving at, when I advocate for contenders like Gladstone, Barry Jenkins and Jeffrey Wright, isn’t a finger on the scale to make up for past exclusion.

It’s a plea for Oscar voters to see these performances the way I and so many other people actually see them.

I still remember watching last year’s version of The Color Purple in a screening alongside lots of folks from Black fraternity and sorority organizations. And when the moment arrived where Danielle Brooks’ character intoned about her husband, “I loves Harpo — God knows I do — but I’ll kill him dead before I let him or anybody beat me,” it felt like the whole theater said those words with her. That’s how iconic those lines -- first spoken on film by Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 production – have become for Black America.

That same feeling came after I first saw Cord Jefferson’s brilliant American Fiction, centered on a frustrated, floundering Black writer who creates a stereotypical parody of a Black novel as a dark joke, only to see it become a best seller. I felt as if Jefferson had pulled the same bait-and-switch with his movie that his lead character managed onscreen – using the outrageous premise to draw us all into a more subtle and deliberately powerful story of a Black man struggling to connect with his family after huge losses.

I needed three attempts to get through watching all of Gladstone’s work in Killers of the Flower Moon. Not because the movie was so long I had to “get my mail forwarded to the theater,” like Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked. But because it was so hard for me to watch a film centered on the historic exploitation and murder of Native American people by white men.

It sounds like a simple idea, but it’s worth repeating: evocative moments in films will speak differently to different people.

Sometimes, when I’m pushing for a win in an awards category, or championing a particular project, it’s not because I’m putting a finger on the scale for the sake of equality. It’s because I’m more invested in that story than some others because of who I am. And I’m challenging some people, who might not see their cultural preferences as preferences, to consider exactly why they love one thing over another.

In many ways, it is sad to see great artists pitted against each other in these contests. Comparing the delightful, dangerous absurdity of Poor Things to the gritty, punishing tone in Killers of the Flower Moon feels like a fool’s errand, anyway.

But with so much that comes from an Oscar win – including proof that inclusion brings success, accolades and a great argument for more equity – it is important to understand why some people value some performances.

And part of living in a diverse society means valuing the wide range of opinions and reactions, not shrugging off those that don’t fit your worldview.