There were many things I liked about last night’s Golden Globes–a lot of wonderful and provocative films and television shows were honored, Seth Meyer’s opening monologue was as good as it really could be, Oprah was great as always, and there was definitely a wonderful sense of solidarity amongst all these rich, famous people dressed in all black with their “Time’s Up” pins.
On the other hand, a lot of shit about the entire night was pretty problematic for me. As many people have noted, the whole thing kind of seemed like a white women’s “Woke off” and a lot of shitty people were present and honored, too. So let’s just get down to it, shall we?
Pro: Oprah received the Cecile B. Demille award and was the first black woman to ever receive that honor. And, not surprisingly, her speech was VERY on point with the night’s theme of female solidarity and empowerment. And I quote from Queen O:
For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up.
Con: A lot of actresses opted to bring women’s activists as their dates to the awards. So wait…what would that be a con? Well, I mean, it’s cool they were there, but it’s hard not to notice that all the women who brought activists were straight, white women, and all the activists they brought were either non-white or members of the LGBTQ community. Also, again, totally neat that these women were there, but we didn’t actually hear shit all from them. Like, none of them gave speeches or were really interviewed well on the red carpet or accepted an award on behalf of anyone, hence why Twitter started calling the whole thing the white women’s “woke off” which I really do get. Like, it’s cool that Emma Stone brought LGBTQ icon Billie Jean King, who she played in Battle of the Sexes, as her date, but like remember a year ago when Emma was in a Woody Allen movie? In fact, remember when half the red carpet was in a Woody Allen movie over the past 10 years and was probably posing for pictures with Harvey Weinstein like last year? Or how every other year than this, Kevin Spacey had everyone tonguing his asshole at the Golden Globes, but this year he’s the butt of all the jokes? Like, I’m not saying everyone knew Weinstein and Spacey were as horrible of predators as they turned out to be, but EVERYONE had to have heard stories, you know? Like I said back when news about Spacey first broke, even I’D heard stories about the guy from dudes I know, and I live in small town Canada. But anyway…
Pro: A lot of films and television that are extremely important for women (Big Little Lies, The Handmaid’s Tale, Lady Bird, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) won big time.
Con: The awards producers for some reason thought it would be appropriate to honor Kirk Douglas during this particular ceremony, where there was supposed to be particular focus on women fighting back against men who have sexually abused and harassed them. In case your not familiar, rumors have been going around for YEARS that way back in the day, Kirk Douglas brutally raped a teenage Natalie Wood. And I mean like BRUTALLY raped. Beat the crap out of her, spit on her, and kicked her out of his hotel room with blood and cum running down her leg. Sorry for the severe imagery, but this has legit been one of those stories that’s been whispered about in Hollywood for like 75 years or something. A lot of people on Twitter were also pissed that admittedly sleazy James Franco won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. I don’t know much about James’ history with women. I know he’s slid into a 17-year-old’s DM before, but lest we forget that Jerry Seinfeld brought his teenage girlfriend, Shoshanna, to the Golden Globes back in the day. Home girl probably had to miss her prom to go to that. Not that I’m giving that the ok, I’m jut saying shit has always been weird and kind of gross.
I think what I’m getting at here is that yes, last night’s awards show was maybe a step in the right direction, but I also kind of get why people in Hollywood get called “out of touch” to social issues. At the end of the day, I’m kind of walking away with no feelings about the whole thing because I feel like a lot of negatives crossed out a lot of positives and if Hollywood really wants to be a part of real social change then it needs to do better.
On the bright side, Tonya Harding was there, and that’s lit af!