OSCAR SHOCKER! STAR REFUSES AWARD

I appreciate a REBEL. A man who STANDS against the grain to make a point...

March 30, 1973


'THE GODFATHER'


That Unfinished Oscar Speech
courtesy of The NEW YORK TIMES


By MARLON BRANDO

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- For 200 years we have said to the Indian people who are fighting for their land, their life, their families and their right to be free: ''Lay down your arms, my friends, and then we will remain together. Only if you lay down your arms, my friends, can we then talk of peace and come to an agreement which will be good for you.''

When they laid down their arms, we murdered them. We lied to them. We cheated them out of their lands. We starved them into signing fraudulent agreements that we called treaties which we never kept. We turned them into beggars on a continent that gave life for as long as life can remember. And by any interpretation of history, however twisted, we did not do right. We were not lawful nor were we just in what we did. For them, we do not have to restore these people, we do not have to live up to some agreements, because it is given to us by virtue of our power to attack the rights of others, to take their property, to take their lives when they are trying to defend their land and liberty, and to make their virtues a crime and our own vices virtues.

But there is one thing which is beyond the reach of this perversity and that is the tremendous verdict of history. And history will surely judge us. But do we care? What kind of moral schizophrenia is it that allows us to shout at the top of our national voice for all the world to hear that we live up to our commitment when every page of history and when all the thirsty, starving, humiliating days and nights of the last 100 years in the lives of the American Indian contradict that voice?

It would seem that the respect for principle and the love of one's neighbor have become dysfunctional in this country of ours, and that all we have done, all that we have succeeded in accomplishing with our power is simply annihilating the hopes of the newborn countries in this world, as well as friends and enemies alike, that we're not humane, and that we do not live up to our agreements.

Perhaps at this moment you are saying to yourself what the hell has all this got to do with the Academy Awards? Why is this woman standing up here, ruining our evening, invading our lives with things that don't concern us, and that we don't care about? Wasting our time and money and intruding in our homes.

I think the answer to those unspoken questions is that the motion picture community has been as responsible as any for degrading the Indian and making a mockery of his character, describing his as savage, hostile and evil. It's hard enough for children to grow up in this world. When Indian children watch television, and they watch films, and when they see their race depicted as they are in films, their minds become injured in ways we can never know.

Recently there have been a few faltering steps to correct this situation, but too faltering and too few, so I, as a member in this profession, do not feel that I can as a citizen of the United States accept an award here tonight. I think awards in this country at this time are inappropriate to be received or given until the condition of the American Indian is drastically altered.

If we are not our brother's keeper, at least let us not be his executioner.

I would have been here tonight to speak to you directly, but I felt that perhaps I could be of better use if I went to Wounded Knee to help forestall in whatever way I can the establishment of a peace which would be dishonorable as long as the rivers shall run and the grass shall grow.

I would hope that those who are listening would not look upon this as a rude intrusion, but as an earnest effort to focus attention on an issue that might very well determine whether or not this country has the right to say from this point forward we believe in the inalienable rights of all people to remain free and independent on lands that have supported their life beyond living memory.

Thank you for your kindness and your courtesy to Miss Littlefeather. Thank you and good night.

This statement was written by Marlon Brando for delivery at the Academy Awards ceremony where Mr. Brando refused an Oscar. The speaker, who read only a part of it, was Shasheen Littlefeather.

KREYOL'S 2011 OSCAR FASHION PICS

 CATE BLANCHETTE IN GIVENCHY: Such an unlikely choice, but I LOVE this dress... the beading, combination of the structural shoulders and the elegant draping of the fabric from the bodice to the floor. Reminiscent of the Victorian period, I think it's beautiful without looking too costumie. It takes a REAL fashionista and visionary to rock this.

HALLE BERRY IN MARCHESA: Halle ALWAYS looks gorgeous (I mean let's be serious. It's Halle!! lol) The dress for me, is perfect EXCEPT for the tulle along the cleavage (I mean why? I'm a lover of tulle and all things voluminous... but this is overkill.) Everything else is perfect; from the tone on tone shade of her skin to the dress and its texture, to her minimalistic approach of accessories... just lovely.

 MILA KUNIS IN ELIE SAAB: The color palette here is ideal; her olive skin and dark hair with the combination of this light lavender gown makes her look like a Grecian Goddess. The draping and use of lace (in the RIGHT way) is sexy and quite elegant.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON IN DOLCE & GABBANA: This dress has a very vintage feel; beautiful silhouette that plays on the sleek, straight pencil shape in the front with a mermaid style train in the rear. Classic. And Scarlett's make-up and effortless hair was genius. However, for her body type, I would have chosen a different gown. She lacks a defined waist line and this type of dress makes her look a little too straight. She would have benefited from a gown cut at the waist to give the illusion of a waist and accentuate her shape. Still stunning!

OPRAH IN ZAC POSEN: Absolutely gorgeous! I love the combination of the satin bodice and the draped sequin floor length skirt that falls perfectly. The off the shoulder cut draws attention to her beautiful face and the a-line silhouette cinches her waist, giving her a great hour glass figure. I heart Oprah in this dress!! 

AMY ADAMS IN L'WREN SCOTT:  So, this is my favorite dress of the evening... the one that I would wear myself... great fit and simply fabulous, but I really hate how she's wearing it; the jewels, her hair? What happened here? Had she swept the hair completely back with some simple jewelry, no necklace, small earring and an oversized ring (I mean the dress is all sequence, BLING from top to bottom... what else do you want?) In this case, less is more.

I AM KREYOL!