Oscars: Stacey Dash’s Awkward Appearance Inspires Confusion
Stacey Dash’s appearance at the 2016 Academy Awards was perhaps the most awkward moment of the night.
The actress walked out on the Oscar stage following what was supposed to be a comedic introduction of the director of minority outreach for the Academy.
“I cannot wait to help my people out,” said Dash. “Happy Black History Month.”
Dash said her appearance was organized in order to increase diversity at the Oscars but it was not received that way.
Viewers quickly took to Twitter to discuss the moment.
That #StacyDash cameo was most confusing… And it's still won't help you girl.
— Melanie Fiona ? (@MelanieFiona) February 29, 2016
Definitely the most cringe worthy and awkward moment of the oscars #stacydash
— Michael Culkin (@MichaelCulkin12) February 29, 2016
Whoa. Maybe that #StacyDash thing was not the best choice ? #Oscars
— Nicole Alvarez (@NicoleFAlvarez) February 29, 2016
Dash addressed the controversy in a blog post titled “Who is Stacey Dash and why did she just walk across the #Oscar stage?” “Haven’t we had more than just one month’s worth of accomplishments?” the actress wrote. “We need to stop complaining about white people oppressing us, we shouldn’t boycott the Oscars and we need to support Chris Rock the host.
The actress said she would rather be a free thinker than a cookie-cutter black person who thinks like her friends. She also said diversity should go beyond diversity in skin color. “Different colors in skin is an easy kind of diversity,” Dash said. “Ideological diversity is much harder, because it forces everyone to come face to face with their beliefs.
Dash said Hollywood needs both.
Earlier this year, the actress made headlines after expressing her disapproval of Black History Month and award shows dedicated to recognizing people of color on a segment of “Fox and Friends.
“Either we want to have segregation or integration,” Dash said. “And if we don’t want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET and the BET Awards and the Image Awards, where you’re only awarded if your black.”
The BET network, “The View” and celebrities responded with intense criticism.
“We are all Americans. But we are not all treated like Americans,” said Whoopi Goldberg, host of “The View.” “And one of the reasons there is a BET is because networks wouldn’t take a lot of the shows that have an all-black cast.”
A video of Gabrielle Union went viral after the actress dismissed Dash in an interview at the Sundance Film Festival.
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