Marginalized Artists! Don't Give Up!

Representation matters. That was tonight’s Oscar take away. From Janelle Monet’s bizarre opening performance with Billy Porter to Zack Gottsagen presenting with Shia LaBeouf to Bong Joon-ho’s stunning sweep and ultimate take down; whether you enjoyed Oscars 2020 or not, Hollywood is experiencing some major shifts that give artists of color around the world much needed hope and fuel to our fire. It may not seem like it given this administration, but from what I saw tonight, it is a good time to be queer and/or of color in Hollywood. Who knew?!?

Just as I was questioning my purpose and why I was called here to Los Angeles, Taika Waititi makes history by being the first Jewish Māori to win an Oscar. “I want to dedicate this to all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance, and write stories. We are the original storytellers, and we can make it here as well.” From this night forward,Taika Waititi’s words will be tattooed in every indigenous child’s heart. Tonight was my dream come true and I got to see it from Britt Robertson’s couch. I went from "questioning" to "life is lookin’ real good" real quick!

Tonight, my fellow marginalized artists, we learn to keep going. Keep writing. Keep acting. Keep directing. Keep making your art that no one understands and no one is giving you funding for. Must. Keep. Going.