Ok, let me say before I start, I am not a right wing fanatic, nor I am left wing die-hard. I have my own thoughts on immigrants in America, especially after living in foreign countries a large portion of my life. Legal immigration is cool – it’s the heart of America.
But, (been waiting for that “but” huh??!!) after watching the Academy Awards show this evening, what’s with all the foreigners?
For example, for the first time in 44 years, all winning actors and actresses (supporting and lead roles) were all non U.S. citizens.
Couple that with all the other “foreign” winners, Didier Lavergne (French) for makeup, Dante Ferretti & Francesca Lo Schiavo (both Italian), Glen Hansard (Irish) and Marketa Irglova (Czech) and others.
Now, I full well know that Hollywood is a global business – shit, after all 60% of a movie’s box-office is generated overseas. But, Hollywood is as American as apple pie, mom and hamburgers and hot dogs.
The entertainment industry is second only to the aviation industry in export revenues for the US of A.
But it seems the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences vision of Hollywood is much broader than my own.
But my question to them, “Hey Sid, (Sid Ganis, president of the Academy), why aren’t their more Native Americans and African Americans and Asian Americans and Spanish speaking Americans represented at the show. Your industry execs are bringing in foreigners, albeit talented ones but what about those here on the home front?”
Seems to me if we took care of our own…we’d be better off. But maybe that is what the national argument is all about.
Geez, this adds some meaning to the phrase, foreigners go home! Say good bye to Hollywood! 🙁
photo: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.
