What The Oscars Taught: Remember the Dreams, Forget The Shame, Live
I know the Oscars aren't important, and I don't confuse popcorn with nutritiousness food, but I am unapologetic in enjoying both. I love the gowns, the technical glitches, and reading the hilarious people on my twitter feed. I love seeing the hoity toity fumble through the teleprompter, and, of course, I cheer for my favorite films. However, amid the mental equivalent of trans-fat, something remarkable happens, something profound, people say some amazing things.
The first the unforgettable moment was with the Best Supporting Actress award with the gracious Lupita Nyong'o from 12 Years A Slave. She reminded the audience that her character was real and worth remembering. In fact, she said,
"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."
Later in the show husband and wife songwriting team won for their masterpiece from Frozen, "Let It Go." After going through their list of names (rhyming, of course, they are songwriters after all!!), they directed their comments to their daughters. "We wrote this song for you," they said "so you will..."
"Never let fear or shame keep you from being the unique people you are.
And then with the final, Best Picture award, Steve McQueen from 12 Years A Slave offered this beautiful reminder,
"Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live."
Wow.
I had gone into the evening expecting the award show equivalent of Wipeout, and instead I thought about embracing dreams, rejecting shame, and living.
"All right. All right. All right."*
*Bonus quote from Matthew McConaughey