When British actress Renee Zellweger announced the winner of Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama at this year’s Golden Globe, the reveal left many with a bittersweet aftertaste.
Chadwick Boseman had just won his first trophy in his debut nomination for his role as Levee in Netflix’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. He stars alongside Viola Davis. Worthy of celebration, but his sober wife who received his award quickly reminded all of his glaring absence since August of last year.
In its 78 years of existence, only four black actors – Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, and Chadwick Boseman– have been privileged to take home the golden trophy in that category often thought to be reserved for white actors.
If biographical films are anything to go by, it has remained the quickest route for white acts to gain a nomination… at least. Notable mentions: ‘Vice’, ‘Judy’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘127 Hours’, ‘The Social Network’, and this list is endless.
No disputing the fact that his talent landed him the recognition he well deserves, however, one might be tempted to assume that the honour was influenced by his death.
That argument is flawed. Musician Andra Day, too, was recognised for her role as Billie Holiday in ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’. It was her first nomination. She is black.
The last time a woman of African descent won the Golden Globes was in 2004. Charlize Theron took home the prize for her leading role in ‘Monster’. While Theron is South African, her phenotypic features reveal a white woman. Before Theron, it was Whoopi Goldberg in 1986 for the movie ‘Purple’. So, technically, for black folks, it has been 35 years since they won in this category.
But what might have influenced this recognition in top categories this year?
No doubt, 2020 was a year of many unusual events influenced by the coronavirus. On the forefront is racism against people of colour. But George Floyd’s death was the trigger for many Americans.
With these happening all at the same time, it begs the question: why are black actors suddenly being recognised in the summit categories? Did their acting get better? Were no white actors nominated? The answer is no.
Chadwick didn’t even win in his best role if you judge him by the standards of films he’s appeared in in the past.
The true answer lies in the power of social movements for equality for people of colour. The waves are reverberating, and platforms are adjusting to accommodate black/coloured narratives.
Meanwhile, the Oscars will hold this April. Let’s see how they react.
