Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 2-26-19

Blacks Win Big At
Ruth Carter Makes History With Costume Design Win For 'Black Panther'
The award for best costume design went to Ruth Carter and in her own words, it was "a long time coming."
Carter won for "Black Pan- ther" and became the first African American to take home the statue.
She thanked Spike Lee for giving her her start and said she hoped she made him proud.
She also paid homage to the film that made her a trailblazer. "Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design, we turned him into an African
king," Carter said.
She also showed love to her
mother.
"This is for my 97-year-old
RUTH CARTER
mother watching in Massachu- setts," Carter said. "Mom, thank you for teaching me about people and telling their stories. You are the original super hero. "
Regina King Wins Best Supporting Actress
Spike Lee Wins His First Oscar Ever
Regina King just won best supporting actress for “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
She is the third black ac- tress to win both an Oscar and a Primetime Emmy, joining Halle Berry and Viola Davis.
King thanked her mother and Baldwin, the author of the book that was adapted into the film.
"James Baldwin birthed this baby. And Barry, you nur- tured her, surrounded her with so much love and support. So, it's appropriate for me to be standing here, because I'm an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone. Mom, I love you so much. Thank you for teaching me that God is al- ways leaning, always has been
REGINA KING
leaning in my direction," she said.
King has three Emmys, which she won in 2015, 2016 and 2018.
SPIKE LEE
Mahershala Ali Takes Home His Second Oscar
MAHERSHALA ALI
Mahershala Ali just won best supporting actor for his role in "Green Book."
Ali is the second African- American actor to win multiple Oscars. (Denzel Washing- ton is the other actor.) Ali is also a Golden Globe and Crit- ics’ Choice winner.
In his acceptance speech, Ali thanked co-star Viggo Mortensen and dedicated the award to his grandmother.
"I want to dedicate this to my grandmother, who has been in my ear my entire life. Telling me that if at first I don't succeed, try, try, try again. That I can do anything I put my mind to. Always, always push- ing me to think positively and I know that I would not be here without her, that she's gotten me over the hump in a lot of ways," he said.
Ali and Mortensen starred in the fact-based story about the relationship between pianist Don Shirley (Ali) and the man hired to drive the African-American musician during a tour of the South in the early 1960s. The title refers to the guide that lists what restaurants, hotels and gas sta- tions served black people at the time.
Ali also won a best sup- porting actor Oscar three years ago for his role in the film "Moonlight.”
Director Spike Lee won his first Oscar ever for best adapted screenplay for his film "BlacK- kKlansman."
Lee, who has been nomi- nated five times, took the mo- ment to remember the past and honor Black History Month. He also paid homage to his grand- mother, who he said saved up 50 years of Social Security checks to help put him through school.
Lee also brought up the 2020 presidential election, nod- ding to his critically acclaimed film, "Do the Right Thing."
"The 2020 presidential elec- tion is around the corner. Let's all mobilize, let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love ver- sus hate. Let's do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there."
Hannah Beachler, The Woman Who
Created Wakanda, Made Oscars History
Another historical win was seen at the 91st annual Acad- emy Awards as Crescent City- based film production designer, Hannah Beach- ler, became the first African- American to be both nominated and win in the cat- egory for Best Production De- sign.
In an emotional speech, Beachler, who was recog- nized for her impeccable de- sign work in the hit Marvel film Black Panther, thanked her co-workers, friends and family for their support, which she said "breathed life" into her designs.
After starting out her memorable speech by shout- ing out the Big East — "New Orleans, Ya Heard!" — she praised the famed director be- hind the record-breaking super hero film, Ryan Coogler.
"I stand here stronger than I was yesterday," she said. "I stand here with agency and self worth because of Ryan Coogler, who not only made me a better designer, a better
HANNAH BEACHLER
storyteller, a better person, I stand here because of this man who offered me a differ- ent perspective of life, who of- fered me a safe space, whose patience gave me air. Thank you, Ryan. I love you."
She also recognized the film's amazing cast for their constant inspiration, both personally and professionally, and a late personal friend who she shared "supported her every day."
Oscars Are So Not White This Year, Pete Ramsey Wins For Best Animated
Diversity is on display at the Oscars.
From the presenters to the winners, this year's ceremony just feels more inclusive.
Some of the presenters spoke in Spanish.
History was made, with Ruth Carter be- coming the first African American woman to win an Oscar for costume design and Peter Ramsey being the first black director to win for an ani- mated film with "Spider-Man: Into the Spider- Verse."
The latter featured the first Afro-Latina Spi- der-Man and one of the writers of the screenplay mentioned the importance of inclusion in his ac- ceptance speech.
Phil Lord said that when they hear a kid ac- knowledging that Spider-Man looks like them or
speaks Spanish, "we feel like we already won." "We see you. You’re powerful. This world needs you," Ramsey said. "Ok? So please, we’re
all counting on you."
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019