How do you feel about political speeches at the Academy Awards?

I grew up in a fairly apolitical home, with a Mom who loved the glamour of Hollywood and adored movies.  We rarely missed the annual Oscars show.  When a star used part of their acceptance speech time to make a political statement, Mom was very disapproving.

Not only did such political talk NOT bother me, I sort of liked it.  Little wonder I wound up as a political science major in college.

The most recent ceremony caused a number of folks like my mother to say tsk tsk.  They’d be happier if actors like Sean Penn just shut up.

I disagree.

Fortunately, Penn shows no signs of willingness to be silenced.  And what he has to say is important.

You’re invited to come over to my place and check out what I had to say about this the other day.

Who suspected how political Spicoli would become when he grew up?

I’d be interested to hear about what political speeches you recall, fondly or otherwise, at previous ceremonies.

I promise to write some full posts here soon, rather than taking this easy way out.

I’ve just been swamped because I’m teaching a class on Social Justice in Popular Culture Films, and I’ve been overachieving by creating an entirely new blog about that, Holly Forrest Teaches.  So I’m a little tapped for the next few weeks.  I know that John and Missy will have plenty to share in the meantime!