The Oscars should practice what they preach

I don’t usually watch the Oscars and overall, they are one of the least important things happening in the world right now but man was this a good year to tune in. 

The most interesting thing about the Oscars is usually who doesn’t win and if someone had an especially bad outfit. This year, almost too many things were happening during the show. 

Apart from some questionable jokes, there was the Will Smith slapping Chris Rock moment, followed closely by Smith winning an Oscar; a repeating commercial about the war in Ukraine and a memorandum for actors and directors that have passed recently, excluding Bob Saget. While the Smith and Rock moment was very entertaining, it still didn’t overshadow what my issue with the Oscars is. 

Every year the Oscars give out ridiculously expensive gift bags. The gift bags this year were worth just about $140,000 according to ign.com. 

So, while there is a war happening and people living in bomb shelters every day in Ukraine, some very rich people in very expensive outfits, (who you would think would have a few dollars to spare) attended the Oscars and talked about how sad they were for those suffering in the war and played one commercial a few times about the war.

I wonder if, along with speeches reminding us that it is a global responsibility to help Ukraine, these expensive guests decided to give any of their own money or help to Ukraine? 

Now that is not to say that there aren’t some celebrities and foundations who have donated and put some efforts into helping Ukraine. But the majority have not. I wonder what the guests or the academy could have done with the money they put towards so many very expensive gifts.

Could they have perhaps opted for a much less expensive gift or decided to forgo a gift just this one time so they could put their money towards peace?

The Oscars remains notorious for allowing celebrities to get up give speeches about whatever issues they deem worthy and asking the common viewers for help. All while possibly doing nothing themselves – apart from giving a speech at a show whose viewership has been decreasing for years. 

Admittedly, this year the viewership did go up but the show was still at it second lowest viewership rates ever. So not only are the celebrities giving speeches about what they think should be happening they are also giving these speeches to turned off screens. 

If those with the capabilities and resources to help are not helping then is it expected of the rest of the people who might be living pay check to pay check or on just enough to live almost comfortably to take care of people in crisis?

Now a week after the Oscars have happened people are still talking about it and celebrities are still hanging onto how the slap moment was traumatizing. There are a lot more traumatizing things happening in the world right now than watching someone else get slapped. 

I understand the shock of it happening but now that it has been over a week I think it might be time for them to start using their platforms to help people instead of milking one moment. 

Celebrities and these giant foundations should be trying to help, not preaching to the middle and lower classes.