You Wanna Talk About The Oscars?!?

Dear Troublemakers,

Ohhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeee was this a week, y’all. When I walked into the living room Sunday night and turned on the tv and decided to keep watching the Oscars when Chris Rock walked onstage, I was not prepared. I was not prepared!

But I am so glad you opened up this here newsletter so we could talk all things OSCARS!

Before I begin, a bit of a preamble if you will. There have been a whole lotta takes. Some are more important than others. Per usual, I am grateful for Roxane Gay’s voice. Read her piece here if you haven’t already. I’m guessing I’m not alone in my own weariness about what happened at the Oscar’s but I’m here to remind myself and you that it was NOT the only thing. Let’s start with…

QUESTLOVE WON HIS FIRST OSCAR!! I’m so glad he won for his beautiful documentary “Summer of Soul (…or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised).” This clip with him accepting and hugging his mom is the best! Watch it here if you haven’t already and if you have, tell me what you thought in the comments!!! What a beautiful celebration of Black community and Black music and Black culture. And what an important piece that has so much to do with yesterday and today, the past and the present. Thankful for Questlove’s vision and love for the Black people of Harlem.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON WON HIS FIRST OSCAR!! This man has been long overdue for this award. But watching the uncontained excitement and joy on Denzel Washington’s face when he presented made the wait a smidge more tolerable.

REGINA HALL AND WANDA SYKES!! Loved seeing them host and this “inspirational quote” bit had me loling! Also the Black women turned up. My favorite looks of the night belonged to Lupita (does this woman ever look anything but stunning???) and Megan The Stallion (that dress, that color… so good!!!).

THE OSCARS HAD ITS FIRST EVER ALL BLACK PRODUCTION TEAM!! Let us not overlook this! It’s one thing to have people of color in front of the cameras, but it’s just as important that we’re behind the scenes too. “There is no doubt our skill sets and perspectives are allowing us to create a show that will be different than that of our predecessors.” - Producer Will Packer

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HERE’S A FEW MORE THINGS FOR YOU THIS WEEK…

Speaking of the Oscar’s… Andre Henry and I touch on it a teeny tiny bit in our incredible could have talked to him for another 90 minutes with no problem IG Live!

Two shows I’m loving that I’m very aware might not overlap for everybody but absolutely do for me… Call the Midwife and Lizzo’s Watch Out For the Big GRRRRLS!

I put this on the socials but would love your comments here! Would y’all tell me about the conversations you’re having with the Black girls in your life (under 16) about navigating whiteness. I know I grew up in a different day and time… So I’m curious to know what the Black girls in your life are struggling with today or where they are finding joy. Bonus points for a direct quote from a young person!

WORDS OF WISDOM

“I need to see my own beauty and to continue to be reminded that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beautiful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my curves, the size of my lips, the color of my skin, and the feelings that I have are all worthy and okay."
- Tracee Ellis Ross

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Stay wild and holy and free,

- Austin

PS This post is for all subscribers, but if you want to make sure you don’t miss our Troublemaker meetings be sure to switch your subscription to paid and never miss a chance to connect IRL. Taking suggestions for future guests to join us soon! Sound off in the comments - who you wanna hang out with??