In light of recent events, the Academy should reconsider allowing Casey Affleck to present at the upcoming Oscars. The actor, who received significant acclaim for his role in Manchester by the Sea, is now facing scrutiny due to allegations of sexual harassment made by two women back in 2010. Despite these serious accusations, which were highlighted in a story on The Daily Beast, Affleck not only earned a Best Actor nomination but also won the award. Tradition dictates that he will present the Best Actress award this year, but in our current climate of holding abusers accountable, many believe this is a misguided decision.
Last year, when Brie Larson presented Affleck with the Best Actor award, her discomfort was palpable. While she managed a smile and a polite hug, Larson, who advocates for sexual assault survivors, notably refrained from applauding him during the ceremony. Afterward, she remarked that her actions spoke volumes about her feelings on the matter. Despite the public outcry regarding his past, Affleck’s victory at the Oscars seemed to overshadow the serious allegations against him.
Today, in a post-Harvey Weinstein world, the notion of Affleck standing on stage to honor women like Meryl Streep and Frances McDormand feels increasingly inappropriate. The Daily Beast recently published an article titled “The Oscars Have A Casey Affleck Problem (Again),” emphasizing the dramatic shift in sentiment surrounding sexual harassment in Hollywood over the past year. The idea of applauding Affleck while he discusses the incredible work of female artists is both nauseating and infuriating to many.
So, how will the Academy handle this situation? Will they bar Affleck from the ceremony or create a scheduling conflict to avoid the controversy? Given that they recently expelled Weinstein from their ranks, it would be fitting for them to take similar action here. Allowing Affleck to present could be perceived as a slap in the face to every actress in attendance, as well as to women watching from home. It would send a troubling message that powerful men can escape the consequences of their actions.
In this current landscape, it is hoped that the Academy recognizes the need to prevent Affleck from taking the stage. If he does present, here are a few suggestions for the attendees:
- Refrain from applauding when he arrives (the bare minimum).
- Have the stage manager ring a bell and declare “shame” during his speech.
- Encourage all nominated actresses to take the stage together to address the issue of harassment in the industry.
It would certainly be compelling to witness. Hollywood, it’s time to do what’s right and spare us the need for protests during the Oscars.
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In summary, the Academy must reconsider allowing Casey Affleck to present due to his past allegations of sexual harassment. The current climate demands accountability, and Affleck taking the stage would undermine the progress made in addressing these issues.