One night at the Oscars doesn’t change everything, but it’s a promise of the future.
Claudia Romo Edelman
Founder @ We Are All Human & Hispanic Star | co-host “A La Latina” podcast | Speaker, trainer, author
For Latinos, the Oscars are always a benchmark. For years, we’ve felt the lack of representation. Few Latinos in front of and behind the camera. Even fewer up for awards.
But this year, there are signs that we are breaking through. We felt the presence and the pride of Latinos. Nominees and winners. Eugenio Derbez. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Germaine Franco. Sebastian Yatra. Guillermo del Toro. John Leguizamo. And, of course, Ariana DeBose, an openly gay Afro-Latina capturing an Oscar for her role as Anita in West Side Story. The first Latina actor to win an Oscar since Rita Moreno won for the same role 60 years ago.
Encanto. Parallel Mothers. Being the Ricardos. Nightmare Alley. West Side Story. Performances like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Dos Oruguitas.” On the red carpet. On stage. In song. We can see more of ourselves every time.
Last night began to feel like the future we have been working towards. Not simply to be seen and heard and valued. Not as exceptions to the rule. But as part of the fabric of American culture, where our Latinidad is celebrated as American. It’s not something we are supposed to shed to be more American. It is that America is beginning to recognize that being bilingual, multicultural is not only the norm, but also desirable and enriching. And so very American.
One night at the Oscars doesn’t change that representation is still an issue, not just in Hollywood and the media, but in most sectors.
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One night at the Oscars doesn’t change the fact that it took 60 years for a Hispanic actor to win the second Oscar ever.
One night at the Oscars doesn’t mean that Latinas will take home a bigger paycheck this week. It doesn’t signify that access to education or capital or job opportunities will suddenly be up for grabs.
In the morning light, I do feel pride. And I do feel the promise of the future. But I also know that the changes in Hollywood are not accidental. They are a direct result of hard work and dedicated activism. The needle is moving in the right direction. When we come together as a united community, we make things happen.
This is a point on a long line ahead. But let’s enjoy the moment and then keep moving.
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2yClaudia Romo Edelman BRAVO I say standing and applauding you. Sigue abriendo ojos, tocando almas y dando vista a la realidad. Deseandote continuoso exito.
Change Architect I Systems Thinker | Talent Optimizer | Purveyor of Solutions
2yBeautiful reflection! Adelante!!
President of Latin America, Chief Supply Chain Officer-North America, Global Chief CSR & Sustainability Officer at McDonald's Corporation. Retired.
2yVery well said. Proud of what you are doing. Keep up on raising awareness not only about our existence, but the indelible mark that Latinos and Latinas make on the fabric of the US.
I run a global all-girl think tank driving the next wave of Intelligence, Innovation, technology and consumer growth. 0. 12.24 THE ASCENT BEGINS.
2yClaudia Romo Edelman The United Nations is not america.. We are a republic that is built on freedom, representation is a far lower standard than freedom, and inalienable rights.. we are not socialism that controls everyone and measures everyone america is not the oscars....american was built on a constitution around sacred and universal concepts of freedom, and human potential.. so much more profound that a made up award regarding film.. america was designed for human destiny to manifest... trophys divide