I’m generally not a big fan of the academy awards.
I don’t care much for the self-congratulatory posing and over-the-top glitz. But this year a couple of moments made the entire experience worthwhile.
Like most folks, I was touched by Lupita Nyong’o’s heartfelt acceptance speech after winning Best Supporting Actress. Instead of the usual litany of mindless thank-you’s to agents, she thanked the spirit of Patsey, her character in 12 Years a Slave.
“It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s and so I want to salute the spirit of Patsey and thank her for her guidance. And to Solomon (Northup), thank you for telling her story as well as your own.
“Steve McQueen, you charge everything you fashion with a breath of your own spirit. Thank you so much for putting me in this position. This has been the joy of my life. I’m certain that the dead are standing about you and watching and they are grateful and so am I.”
This is a young lady who gets it. She understands that she’s fortunate to be part of a story that’s bigger and more important than she is. And she’s smart enough to be grateful.
“When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from your dreams are valid.”
I also hope we’ll see the story of this film as something more than an unfortunate piece of American history. It will be sad if people watch 12 Years a Slave and miss the implications for today. Solomon Northup’s story is replayed thousands of times each day in the U.S. and around the world.
This incredible film ought to renew awareness, which ought to spark outrage, which hopefully will cause some sort of action that goes beyond historical regret.
That’s one way to validate a dream.
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