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Daniel Solow's avatar

The Twitter era really gave enormous power to a certain kind of resentful person with way too much time on their hands.

Hollywood Gadfly's avatar

It was a very strange time, the consequences of which we are still living with today. It’s still fascinating to me that April Reign is part of why an incredibly white movie like Sentimental Value is now a Best Picture nominee, haha.

Daniel Solow's avatar

It’s really kind of hilarious how much power black America derives from its ability to make white America feel guilty. I really don’t think most of the people using that hashtag understood how much it would change things.

Hollywood Gadfly's avatar

Yeah, I think that’s a big part of these activist movements, they concentrate power in a handful of people like Boone Isaacs, who often use it in ways that don’t really reflect the original intentions, and might even undermine them.

Hans Schneider's avatar

Bravo. Thank you for all this work.

Ronan Lennon's avatar

Terrific essay, one wrinkle which may be between the lines; the international members cannot share the American race issues as they didn’t grow up in the USA, working there is not the same. They can’t be guilted en masse.

. Another related point; the international members wouldn’t have the same personal relationships with the Oscar pool especially the non English speaking ones.This may take some emotion out of their choices.

Hollywood Gadfly's avatar

That makes sense! I thought about that but it was getting on the longer end. Thanks for the comment!

Alain Martin's avatar

Man. I have so many things to say. But as of now. I just want to say congrats!!! Already sent this to two of my boys and implored them to read.

Hollywood Gadfly's avatar

Oh thanks so much! That means the world.

Anton Jøsef's avatar

Fantastic article. Seriously appreciate the time and thought that went into this. This kind of retrospective research is almost never spoken of despite how obviously valuable it is.

Hollywood Gadfly's avatar

Thanks! That means a lot! I felt it was really important to go back and look at the whole thing as holistically and fairly as possible to see what actually happened, and whether it supported its stated goals.