Sunday, March 05, 2006

Essay 454


An Oscar-winning MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” took home the Oscar for Best Song. Queen Latifah presented the award to Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard — following a raucous onstage performance by Three 6 Mafia. Network censors managed to edit a few remarks and lyrics, but they could not contain the raw energy and enthusiasm.

While films like “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crash” tore down barriers and challenged exclusivity, the achievement by Hip Hop artists during the 78th Annual Academy Awards may have been the most dramatic and real breakthrough of all.

Jon Stewart put it into unique perspective by announcing, “Martin Scorsese — Zero Oscars. Three 6 Mafia — One.”

And finally, Stanley Crouch — who has our undying respect and admiration — must be vomiting right now.

• Kudos to everyone involved with “Crash” for nabbing the Best Picture Oscar. Stanley Crouch had praised the movie when it first appeared, so maybe he’ll view this victory as compensation for the win by Three 6 Mafia.

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