The Academy Awards also known as the Oscars, are widely anticipated in over 200 countries and easily accessible through live streaming web pages. They are held annually to recognize actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers for their dedication and cinematic excellence. Therefore, each individual in the film industry is under surveillance and their actions have a way of influencing society either negatively or positively. Which leads me to question sexual harassment or amoral acts taking place in this industry. Who gets to draw the line? The Oscar nominations have pardoned repeated acts of sexual harassment which encourages the continuation of such deplorable acts. Women and men alike should not over-look this behavior in order to put an end to it.
The voting system in the Oscars is quite complicated and demanding in regards to the film set-up and execution. Active or life-time members of the academy get to vote on who is deserving in every particular genre in accordance to the guidelines. However, not many rules or requirements are set in place for an individual’s living and present actions. Their overall actions outside of the film industry happen to not affect or make them lose their possible nomination to earn a shiny gold statue.
Due to the monetary value and automatic increase in prestige, it is life changing for any nominee to accept an award. Post-Oscars, doors are opened instantly in the film industry and a sense of widespread respect is given overnight. This is very unfortunate because individuals who have committed acts of sexual harassment in the past feel entitled to do so because of their status. In addition, lawyers and other involved parties such as news outlets and witnesses are bribed in exchange for their silence. It allows them to feel superior and unstoppable because their safety net falls back to the power of money, fame and unrighteous recognition.
It becomes increasingly difficult for victims to speak up out of fear, negative retaliation, attention and disbelief. Although, it is clearly a crime to sexually harass a woman or a man in any given situation… no true code of conduct is or has been enforced in the academy over the course of the years since it was first established in 1929. Victims are at an unquestionable disadvantage because predators aren’t being punished and instead, publicly rewarded. Producers, agents and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continue to establish partnerships even after accusations of abuse and rape surface to media outlets worldwide. In my opinion, not one incidence should be taken lightly, much less applauded. By doing so, they are desensitizing the seriousness and risks of becoming abused.
The Oscars focus on artistic value and they should also focus on moral conduct. Predators should be held accountable for their actions with no exceptions. The film industry is a job and should be held to the same standard as any other work place deserving of boundaries and respect. The slightest form of harassment should be credible in order to abolish it. Art and rape are two very distinctive subjects but never distinguishable when performed hand in hand by an individual. The Oscars should automatically punish these individuals and strip them of any possible awards. If given the award, peers should refuse to accept it to mirror the disapproval and wrong-doing of such actions. Overall, when those who take the opportunity to use their platform and status to eradicate verbal, physical and emotional abuse– only then should they be considered for a nomination and award.
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