Joacquin Phoenix has continued with his call for diversity and equality by giving a speech at the Oscar Awards 2020.
The actor who won the award for Best Actor for Joker had some days back given a speech against what he called “systemic racism” due to the lack of diversity in the BAFTA awards.
While giving his acceptance speech after winning the award for Best Actor, Joacquin Phoenix said:
“But I also feel conflicted,” he said, sending the hall into a stunned silence. “So many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege
“I think we are sending a very clear message to people of colour that you’re not welcome here. That’s the message we are sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry in ways that we have benefitted from.
“I dont think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that’s what we give ourselves every year.”
He continued: “I think people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work,” said Phoenix.
“This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I am ashamed to say that I am part of the problem. I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive.
“But I think it’s more than just having sets that are multicultural. We have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism.
“I think that it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones who dismantle it – so that’s on us.”
Accepting his award for Best Actor at the Oscars, Joacquin Phoenix continued with his call for equality.
“Whether we’re talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice. We’re talking about the fight against the belief that one nation, one people, one race, one gender or one species has the right to dominate, control and use and exploit another with impunity”, he said.
