The Oscars: Storytelling, From Fireside to Filmmaking

Last night, I had a realization. I love movies, most people do as well. Why is Hollywood such a fascination, I wondered. We enjoy watching our stories in such a vivid way. Stories and storytelling have existed for a very long time.

In Credo Mutwa’s book, Zulu Shaman, a written story, he shared about the Dogon of Mali and how they told the stories of their origins. I imagined myself, or an ancestor, (Mali is apart of my DNA ancestry and via divination) as a child learning the creation story, fireside with the tribe griot. This was our version of tv or radio. We sat, listened and imagined. We were inspired to act in some way or another by the stories we learned. We were given visionary blueprints…we were taught to imagine. We became aware of ourselves and our creative faculties.

And Now, Storytelling is an art, a tool for influence and information, perhaps a sport for entertainment. Look at how we’ve evolved storytelling. From fireside oral sharing to cinematic motion picture filming. Our ancestors would be filled with amazement and awe.

Why are stories so powerful? Because they give us an understanding of existence, purpose by telling us, showing us, by describing humanity. From the time our ancestors or when we were just a child…we learn by observing. The stories growing up I watched on tv, showed me the contrast of family life. Had it not been for the Cosby Show, I wouldn’t have known that married couples laugh and love and kiss each other. In my house, that wasn’t the case, or Family Matters showing me that families can sit at the table together for a meal. In my house, I sat alone to eat.

If you want a story told, tell it.

I hear Hollywood getting a bad wrap for so many reasons. But I think it’s high time to release the tinge, demonization and the negative charge assigned to entities such as “Hollywood” and stop pointing the finger. For so many reasons, but mainly just to claim the power and possibility available, rather than ignorantly vacating it. This is not to say that there are no imbalances, only to not waste any more time being a victim and pose the question, what can you and will you do about the desires you have in this realm.

The thing is …it’s not “Hollywood’s” responsibility or anyone else’s for that matter to tell our (your) stories.

The victim that can exist inside of us has to be released for the full embodiment of godhood. It doesn’t negate the existence of crimes or erase or give a pass to anything that happened. That will have its day.

So, let us not continue to demonize a platform that can be used by endless energies and vibrations. Relinquishing the victim, also means there is no longer a villain. Stand up, pick up your Divinity and tell your own damn stories, stop waiting on someone else to do it and getting mad that they aren’t telling your story. I decided to include some noteworthy Oscar snabs in an attempt to encourage a “glass half full” viewpoint.

Noteworthy Oscar Wins

Get Out (Jordan Peale) – Academy Award for Best Writing Original Screenplay

Black KKKlansman (Spike Lee) – Academy Award for Best Writing Adapted Screenplay + another

Moonlight– Best Picture

Mahershala Ali- Twice Academy Award Winner in Best Supporting Roles.

Cuba, Morgan, Denzel, Louis Gossett, Jr…all Academy Award Winners.

Viola, Regina, Whoopi, Jennifer Hudson, Monique, Halle, Lupita, Octavia, Forrest Whitaker, Jamie Foxx, Sidney Poitier and more.

A lot didn’t like it when 12 Years a Slave won Best Picture…

Black Panther won a few, The Help, Precious.

Read my other Movie Responses/Reviews; Bombshell, Just Mercy, Black Swan.