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Readers React: ‘The problem with the Academy Awards is the awards’

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To the editor: The problem with the Academy Awards is the awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should exist, but the awards shouldn’t. (“What did you expect from Chris Rock -- he skewers everyone on diversity,” Opinion, Feb. 29)

How does an organization render judgment that one’s artistic expression is better than another’s? The academy erred when it promoted artistic expression as a competitive sport.

Issues of race, gender, age, fairness, politics and the like certainly exist within the entertainment industry, but these serious problems are wrongly being defined within a glitzy award ceremony.

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The film industry is consumed with the unhealthy need for recognition. Just watch the credits roll at the end of any film recognizing actors, caterers and bookkeepers. Manufactured competition that intentionally or unwittingly excludes adds to the problem.

I love film. I love music. I love theater. The Oscars, Grammys, Tony Awards and other self-congratulatory events take away from the art itself. Deeper problems of racial and gender diversity are more complicated and can only be solved within the heart and soul of the industry, not through tweaking award nominations.

Mark Scully, Incline Village, Nev.

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To the editor: I really thought the academy was sincere about addressing diversity and inclusiveness until I watched Sunday night’s Oscars show. It’s quite clear that the academy only views diversity as an exclusively black issue.

Host Chris Rock had the opportunity to frame the issue as one of inclusiveness of all groups, and he chose to paint it black. Imagine the outrage if John Leguizamo had hosted and only referenced Latinos at the exclusion of all other groups.

The academy didn’t create this problem; the studios did. But the academy had a perfect opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to change by showcasing a diverse group of actors as presenters.

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Diversity in Hollywood took a big step backward Sunday night.

John Echeveste, Temple City

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