A Night at the Oscar-Politically-Driven-Awards

So, how about them speeches, hmm? There were quite a few politically and socially driven speeches behind particular wins, like Best Original Song ("Glory"), and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"). In a way, these unpredictable social speeches made me uncomfortable, especially with my parents present and watching along with me. However, that irksome feeling is something we all need, I believe; the feeling that despite everything we have nowadays, there are still obstacles needing to be hurdled over. We need to have all these pretty people tell us that there are still persistent (and most of the time unacknowledged) social issues plaguing our country. If we don't listen to the choice politicians who personally care about these problems, then who will we listen to? The people of Hollywood, of course!

I'm glad that there were some who took to the stage and regained their civil liberties by blasting the awards with demands for the public and elite. This public outcry will hopefully stoke the fires of social injustice once more, and possibly provoke our powdered-wig government to actually listen to the country rather than adhere to hefty money-bagging lawmakers.

A big "however": in light of all this hurrah and call to action, Patricia Arquette went a little backwards and asked the LGBT and colored communities to take a stand for women's rights, "to fight for [them] now". How about we all just work together to help each other out and not make it a priority race? I can only hope that there will be people who take the latter outburst from her post-award speech, and apply it to the fact that all people deserve to have equal rights regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or color. Let's leave it at that, Arquette, and say we are in this fight together for equality for all.

MLK

Today we reflect on the legacy one man has left behind in the social justice movement, along with many others. Even every day there are those who continue to fight for social issues in our country.

Martin Luther King, Jr's hard work and determination for equality doesn't just end with race relations, but emphasizes the lack of compassion. There are still so many in this day and age who believe they're the superior race, creed, sex, and can't see everyone else as human beings. The most important thing we can do is to continue the fight for equality for all, in our nation and other countries, whether it be volunteering, donating, or raising awareness. Through this, we can show our compassion for the human race.

What are you doing to make sure Dr. King's legacy stays alive?

Playing The Blame Game

Despite our country's efforts to come off as a progressive nation, it still harbors the kinds of people that give it a backwards impression.

An article released on CNN.com today states that a woman who was victim of a rape is now being blamed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office and is in part responsible for the crime. The victim, a typist at a state prison, was strangled and raped by an inmate who had a record of sex assault crimes back in 2013. She and her attorney filed lawsuits against the state for lax regulations on inmate access to areas in the prison facility, allowing them to move about unsupervised. The inmate had been sentenced to life in prison, and the superintendent of the prison was removed, so you could say the typist's case was justifiably resolved.

Yet, according to the attorney general's senior deputy statement, the typist was responsible for being raped, saying (as if to cover the government's ass) that "contributory negligence" is a valid defense for the state to have used in the federal lawsuit. In short, the typist knew what she was up against when working in a prison facility. Totally her fault for being raped by an inmate.

Although this is one story from Pennsylvania, who knows how many other cases are being made (or not made) against rapists, and how many of the victims are facing this form of public embarrassment from their own government. It is shameful that high-end officials cannot assume responsibility for their own flaws and misgivings; it's what they knew they would get into when they accepted their position in office. The whole reason behind our governments -- local, state, and national -- is to provide its citizens with protection against injustices and criminals. Then why the hell would the state do something as childish as blame a citizen for a crime they were a victim of?

Also, terribly sick and tired that women are in part responsible for their own rape. They're too weak, too attractive, dress too promiscuously, don't say "no". In lieu of Emma Watson's speech at the U.N., it is time for both men and women to join together to put an end to sexism. In a country where we pride ourselves over our freedoms and liberties, it is terribly ironic that the majority of us have limitations in our own nation. Where's the sense in that? It is time that we, as citizens, make sure that our safety and liberties are protected by reliable officials in government, instead of leaving it to miscreants who can't handle the burden of acknowledging their faults and claiming responsibility.

Fighting The Good Fight

A few days ago, Emma Watson addressed the U.N. in New York City with a powerful speech concerning gender inequality around the world. What was especially memorable about her speech was the fact that she recognized men as victims of gender inequality, and invited them to join the movement so that everyone can have the equal freedom to live under the same sun, and not live under social scrutiny. I don't recall a feminist being vocal for the rights of more than just women, but Emma really hit the nail on the head there when it came to a global problem. It's about time someone took the stand and announced that everyone is affected by an abstract binary scheme, and that we should use our time on this earth to stop fussing over it. A cooperative world is a better world. 

Would it be called irony now that Emma Watson has become a social advocate?

Now, of course, after such an admirable moment in this week's history, someone has to go and f*** it all up. On top of that, that particular someone (some 4chan user) has done more than proven there is a prevalent problem with gender inequality. 

One of the top headlining stories on CNN.com is "Emma Watson Faces Backlash After Gender Inequality Speech", and the backlash is some measly threat of nude pics featuring Emma Watson being displayed all over the internet. 

Why is it that when there are people attempting to do good in the world, there's always that one a**hole who has to ruin a hopeful moment for millions of people with some stupid threat? And why is it these stories of backlash and rejection make the headlines right after a monument occasion? "Because these stories sell!" Bulls***. In a different context, these news agencies are highlighting the type of scum that still manage to weasel their ways into the media with incorrigible acts. However, these news agencies are only stating facts, not opinions. They're not stating, "Hey, check out this moron who is criminally engaging a breach of privacy!", and they should be doing more to counter the problem. With the past incidences of female celebrities having their private lives violated, it can be safe to say that this is a case of civil abuse. 

I hope to live in a society that, when stories of women (or any person) having their lives hacked and publicly ridiculed, the good people will do more than complain about, partake in, or ignore acts of personal encroachment.

Or we can just hope that Harry Potter's "Expecto patronum" spell disperses all these happy-sucking dementors out of the social scope.