Hello Beautiful People,
It’s taken me a while to think about what I wanted to write in regards to the 2013 Academy Awards.
We all know how much I adore the film industry, but, especially that night. You all have heart about how my college entrance essay was an Oscar Acceptance Speech, where I accepted the award for Best Director, and thanked Ron Howard.
You all know this.
The nominees for film, performance, and technical wizardry were ALL outstanding.
As actors, we can only hope to have an ounce of the brilliance that is Daniel Day-Lewis, and Jennifer Lawrence gives me hope and faith and confidence in the entertainment industry, in younger generations, and the world, really. She’s a class act, all the way.
But, what I want to talk about, is First Lady Michelle Obama presenting the award for Best Picture.
I’m not speaking on behalf of my entire team here, but I hated it. I LOATHED it.
I VOTED for Barack Obama. I do not have an issue with Michelle Obama, but that stunt was out of line, out-of-place, and just plain insulting.
See, I had a hard time when the First Lady sang arts education praises. I had a hard time when she spoke of how GOOD ARTS EDUCATION IS FOR STUDENTS. Because you know what? Right now….
Arts. Education. Is. Being. Slashed.
Right now, my fellow theater, visual art, and music educators have a problem getting JOBS. There’s NO ROOM IN THE BUDGETS FOR US ART FOLK. So how can you get up on a screen and start talking about how good arts education is for the youth of this country, when there is no support for those programs and curriculums?
How can you get up on a screen when the Washington Common Core MANDATES stress STEM, not STEAM.
How?
I am insulted.
It is not my intention to make this a slam piece. Or a bash piece.
I will not lower the standards of my site to slander.
BUT…
Do not start preaching about arts in schools, and then place mandates that restrict NYC schools from hiring the best possible candidate. Do not start preaching about arts in schools and slash budgets left and right. Do not start preaching about art in schools, and then show little to no support of the educators, the professionals, the teachers who wish to pursue this career.
Do. Not. Go. For. The. Hollywood. Vote.
It is not becoming. It is not appealing. It is downright insulting.
But perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps, dear old FLOTUS and the men in the fancy suits down in D.C. are, actually supporting arts in education in public schools. Maybe they are restoring the budgets to keep the programs, the teachers, and the curriculums that better the youth of this nation. Maybe that’s why The First Lady felt the need to make her presence known at Hollywood’s biggest night, because people aren’t just talking about it, they’re doing something about it.
Maybe.
We. Shall. See.
Live, Love, Learn,