Halle Berry Questions Oscar Impact for Black Women: “Did It Matter?”
Let’s dive into the perplexing enigma that is the Oscar race, shall we? Halle Berry is flipping the script on what it means to be the first and only Black woman to snag an Academy Award for Best Actress, a title she earned way back in 2002 for her heart-wrenching role in *Monster’s Ball*. In the Apple TV+ documentary *Number One on the Call Sheet*, Berry unpacks the heavy question that lingers like a stubborn stain: “Did it really change anything for women of color?” Spoiler alert: the answer is a resounding “hmm.”
Fast forward two decades, and the Oscar pool remains as murky as ever. Berry’s poignant reflections come at a time when no other Black actress has added her name to this elite list, leaving us to wonder if the Academy is just playing a never-ending game of musical chairs—only, oops, they forgot to include anyone but white women. With only 15 Black actresses ever nominated for this prestigious honor, Berry’s musings echo the frustrations of many, including the likes of Taraji P. Henson and Whoopi Goldberg, who voice their disbelief at this ongoing oversight.
Henson even suggests that Hollywood’s gaze tends to overlook Black women as leads, relegating them to supporting roles like they’re some kind of side dish at an awards banquet—delicious, but hardly the main course. Berry recalls a moment of optimism in 2021 when she sat among nominees like Andra Day and Viola Davis, convinced that this year would break the streak of invisibility. Spoiler: it didn’t happen. Frances McDormand took home the gold instead, and we were left to ponder the question that clings to our minds like an unwelcome guest: “What’s a girl gotta do?”
Berry’s closing thought is a real gut punch: “The system is not really designed for us.” So, what’s the takeaway here? If the Oscars are a reflection of societal change, we’re still stuck in the waiting room. The real question is—how do we create art that genuinely touches lives rather than just chasing after a golden statue?
So, as we let this conversation simmer, remember: the next time you’re watching the Oscars, ask yourself if you’re witnessing art or just another round of the same old game. Class dismissed—don’t forget to take your newfound wisdom with you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Hollywood Reporter, Variety, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
