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A stuffy institution isnt what creates or dictates what isgoodin an art form.
Its a starting point.
That being said, Id never want to speculate on what the honor actually means to her.
Angela Bassett might never feel that satisfaction, and that, objectively, sucks.
Everyone that Ive worked with left a little of themselves with me.
I would like to think that everyone that Ive worked with Ive left a bit of myself with them.
But the aggregate performances of my work as an actor includes those people.
I think the honorary award had a significance unto itself.
Poitier is at times even problematically a class act.
So this response isnt surprising at all.
But what makes this different from Bassett is that his work was acknowledged twice before by the Academy.
He was what the institution considered A Good One.
Yall take that how you will.
There is no doubt that Poitier was a standout actor and performer.
One of the greatest to ever do it, so no tea, no shade.
But getting the honor after already winning can color his reaction to yet another acknowledgment.
I did not expect it.
It had me in a state for days, in a state for days.
I could not leave the house.
And it paid off.
But that phrase, I was in a state, could refer to a bunch of different emotional energies.
But I can just as easily imagine that she mightve been fucking livid for it to take so long.
Better late than never may be where she ended up.
I do wonder if this is where Bassett will end up with it.
It feels about right.
I always have fun going to the Oscars.
I always look forward to getting a gift basket for being a presenter.
I give stuff to my relatives; my daughter and my wife would take stuff out.
But otherwise, I was past it.
I was never going to let the Oscars be a measure of my success or failure as an actor.
My yardstick of success is my happiness: Am I satisfied with what Im doing?
Im not doing statue-chasing movies.
You know: If you do this movie, youll win an Oscar.
Id rather be Nick Fury.
Or having fun being Mace Windu with a lightsaber in my hand.
I wonder if shes there, especially after this latest loss.
Thats the brand, you know?
Shes tried it all.
Which provides the Oscars rationale for turning this honorary award around so quickly.
She doesnt need their stamp, as much as it might feel nice in the moment.
There isnt a trophy known to the human race that can outshine that.
