4 Times the Show Got Political (Photos)

With no host and no opening monologue, the 2021 Oscars ceremony was comparatively mild on political commentary than years’ previous, opting as a substitute for a extra laid-back method targeted on the nominees and their movies. But the subject of racial justice got here up a number of instances throughout the present, starting with Regina King’s opener and persevering with in acceptance speeches all through the night time. Here are 4 of essentially the most memorable cases:

“One Night in Miami” director Regina King opened the present with a robust reference to Black Lives Matter protests and final week’s conviction of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who was discovered responsible of murdering George Floyd. King stated, “If things had gone differently in Minneapolis, I may have traded in my heels for marching boots.”

After profitable Best Supporting Actor for “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Daniel Kaluuya mirrored on the persevering with mission of Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party. “There’s so much work to do guys, and that’s on everyone in this room,” he stated. “It ain’t no single man job. And I look to each single considered one of you — you bought work to do.”

Best Live Action Short winner Travon Free wore a swimsuit lined with the names of victims of police brutality. In his acceptance speech, the “Two Distant Strangers” director stated, “And you know James Baldwin once said the most despicable thing a person can be is indifferent to other people’s pain. So I just ask that you please not be indifferent. Please don’t be indifferent to our pain.”

Honorary Oscar recipient Tyler Perry made a plea for unity: “Don’t hate anybody. I refuse to hate someone because they are Mexican or because they are Black or white or LBGTQ. I refuse to hate someone because they are a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they are Asian. I would hope that we would refuse hate.”