# Halle Barry: Rein in in **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 25, 2002, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018 "2002-03-25T16:10:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/1 "2002-03-25T16:10:23Z")
One of my greater goals in life as an actress, is, of course to win an Oscar. What an honor that would be! What recognition…what joy. I’m pretty sure I would cry. I’m pretty sure I’d be flustered and unable to speak for a minute. And certainly, I’m not saying that I would make the greatest speech ever written. But Halle. HALLE. Pull yourself the fuck together. Good GOD. Do you actually think that you have made some great stride in U.S. race relations by winning an Oscar? Has it really been 74 years of non-stop racism from the Academy, with active prevention of african american actors being recoginized? You know how many people have been beaten or died or MURDERED in the cause of civil rights and because YOU win an OSCAR for ACTING IN A MOVIE you proceed like you’ve finally uncovered the ark of the fucking covenant. You are not Rosa Parks, you are not Martin Luther King Jr. You are not even Sydney Poitier. You were the best actress this year…and we gave you a statue for it. Kudos. We’re all happy. Thank God you vindicated Dian Carroll…:rolleyes: who everyone knows was cheated out of an Oscar for… um… wait…I’ll think of it. I mean really…you had me wishing for Julia Roberts’ speech…and that’s really saying something. jar ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/2 "2002-03-25T16:11:32Z")
and of course…the title is supposed to be Rein IT in good lord ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/3 "2002-03-25T16:14:08Z")
The only black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar, ever. And she’s overreacting? Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/4 "2002-03-25T16:16:28Z")
Warning: Cheap shot ahead! I’m surprised she just didn’t take the statue and run. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/5 "2002-03-25T16:22:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andros \* > \*\*The only black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar, ever. And she’s overreacting? Sheesh. \*\* Oh I guess you’re right Andros…I woke up this morning and the world was a better place…blacks and whites were singing together, violent crime was reduced by 76%, every white actor realized that every black actor was their equal for the first time and everyone was at peace…and we owe it all to Halle Barry :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/6 "2002-03-25T16:30:46Z")
IMO, her Oscar win says much more about the Academy than it does about her. Sidney Poitier, on the other hand, had to fight through a lot and so his triumphs were rightfully his (yes yes, and those directors/producers he thanked who had the vision to put him in those movies). Halle, you might be a symbol of the moment, but it wasn’t because of anything you’ve struggled through. You did an amazing acting job in Monster’s Ball. That’s it, congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/7 "2002-03-25T16:44:08Z")
Er, yeah **jar** , whatever. That’s precisely what she said in her speech, all right. Sheesh. It’s just a fucking acceptance speech. Of course she’s no Poitier, no Rosa Parks. _But she never claimed to be_, whatever you may choose to think. I think anyone winning an Oscar has the right to be excited. And a black woman winning an Oscar no other black woman has won before has the right to be truly fucking excited. You don’t like the fact that she places more importance on it than you do? Oh well, huh? ---
**Author:** ![cheezit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@cheezit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheezit)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/8 "2002-03-25T16:47:24Z")
My personal opinion is that most of her overreaction was from just plain shock. It was very obvious to me when they called her name. She just started shaking. If it had been me, I would have just passed out right in the aisle. 😃 Incidently, why in the hell does the media insist on putting a tag on someone? She was the first _ **black** _ actress to win an Oscar. What would it have hurt to just announce “The best actress Oscar goes to Halle Berry”. If anybody in the entire frigging world can’t see she is black, then there is a problem with their eyes. I don’t see that is necessary to _tell_ people that a recipient is black or red or green or purple or whatever. When Tom Hanks came out on the stage to announce the Best Picture award (I think that’s what he announced), the announcer didn’t say _white_ actor Tom Hanks. Wasn’t even mentioned what color he was. So why is it necessary to state the color of a black person. They are just as human as any white person that ever lived. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/9 "2002-03-25T16:48:27Z")
Excuse me andros, did you see the speech? She was far beyond ‘excited’. She claimed to be breaking down barriers, kicking in doors. She was presenting herself as a one woman race relations magnate. I completely agree that she should be thrilled an excited for winning an award for acting…not for making the world a better place for African Americans, which, from my witnessing of the speech, is what she thought she was doing. To me, personally, it would have had more impact if she had simply accepted it as a recognition of her immense talent and work as an actress, not as some huge step in the world accepting black women on the screen. jar ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/10 "2002-03-25T16:51:21Z")
I just thought it was funny how she thanked her Lawyer more than anyone else. At least she thanked Spike Lee That and I’m still trying to wash the taste of Swordfish out of my mouth ☹ Whatever, I’m glad she won it. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/11 "2002-03-25T16:56:08Z")
\*\* > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Jarbabyj_To me, personally, it would have had more impact if she had simply accepted it as a recognition of her immense talent and work as an actress, not as some huge step in the world accepting black women on the screen. \*\* I saw it exactly the opposite way; it WAS a huge step in the world accepting black women on screen. Imagine being a black actress, and knowing that no one like you has ever won an Oscar; you know damn well that plenty of Oscar-calibre performances have been given, yet no one has ever won. Wouldn’t that seem disheartening to you? To know that no matter how well you perform your craft, you will probably never be given the recognition for it that a white counterpart may receive? I think firsts are very special; we had our first female Prime Minister here in Canada awhile back, and although she was PM for about a week, it was still a first for women in Canada. Maybe once we’re all growed up as a species, we can get past things like race and gender, but until then, I’m still going to be happy for people who achieve firsts. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/12 "2002-03-25T16:58:12Z")
**Jarbabyj** , you’re off-base on this one, sugar. A. Winning the Oscar is the achievement of a lifetime; an Oscar winner should be cut considerable slack in the tenor of her speech. B. Yes, Halle Berry winning a Best Actress Oscar IS a big deal. She is the first African American woman to be recognized in a leading role in the 74 year history of the Academy Awards. Ethel Waters, Cicely Tyson, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge: none of them ever won an Oscar. c. You need to recognize the enduring legacy of American racism reflected in the movies. For most of the past eighty years, there have been very few roles for black women that weren’t playing mammies or maids. The few exceptions were usually in all-black novelty pictures, like _Cabin in the Sky_ or _Porgy and Bess_. Roles for women in general are more limited than those available to men. How much more difficult is it for black women to get acting roles of dignity and worth? Think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/13 "2002-03-25T17:00:24Z")
The thoughts running through my mind during Ms. Berry’s speech: "Holy Shit Halle Berry won! That’s great, what an upset. I’m really happy for her. Look at how emotional she is. She’s friggin’ hysterical. Jesus, I think I’m going to cry. This is just wonderful. Isn’t she the first black woman to win a _leading_ actress award? That was totally lost on me. She must be very proud. Christ she’s going to collapse before she even gets to the podium. Oh good, she made it. Pull it together, Halle, stop blubbering, you can do it. Ok, here she goes. Yep, thank the director, thank your co-stars. Good, good. A little something about breaking down barriers, ok, I can deal. Yes, yes, faceless many, I guess that’s cool. Ok, thank your parents and your husband. And your agent. And your lawyer. And your other agent. And your other lawyer. And somebody else who nobody but you have ever heard of. Is my popcorn almost done in the microwave? And thank your second grade teacher. And your acting coach. And the nice man who bought you an ice cream cone when you were 12. IS THIS WOMAN EVER GOING TO SHUT UP?!?!?" ---
**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/14 "2002-03-25T17:03:11Z")
For what it’s worth, I do think that Halle’s acceptance speech was a little over-the-top. I agree that “firsts” are important, but given the time, place, and the speaker, I think it was pushed a little too far. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/15 "2002-03-25T17:05:32Z")
I guess what it comes down to is, even though I am an actress, I don’t see it as the most important thing in the world. I guess acting, while a difficult climb is generally a fun, creative, internal career choice. In very very RARE cases it makes an impact on the world as we know it. In most cases it is just a form of entertainment. And I guess I’m just naive, but I see a TON of great African American performances out there from men and women. I also see a ton of great White performances. This year, the one black woman nominated was acres better than any of the white women nominated. And because of this, everything in the world is changed? I doubt it. Is a black woman going to win every year? Or will the Oscars continue to be a politic driven smear campaign by movie distributors? my guess is the latter. It was a night of firsts. However, until the Oscars are awarded by average people voting on who they loved the best without lobbying and campaigning and politics, I just don’t see it meaning much in the grand scheme of a) the world and b) the movies. j ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/16 "2002-03-25T17:08:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*Excuse me andros, did you see the speech? She was far beyond ‘excited’. She claimed to be breaking down barriers, kicking in doors. She was presenting herself as a one woman race relations magnate. \*\* Really? Where did she present herself as a race relations magnate. In the speech I remember, she took credit for doing one thing and one thing only, being the first black actress to win an Oscar for best lead actress in a motion picture. That was the only “door” she claimed to break down. Perhaps you’d like to quote the part of her speech where she compares herself to Rosa Parks or Dr. King. > [@](#): > > I completely agree that she should be thrilled an excited for winning an award for acting…not for making the world a better place for African Americans, which, **from my witnessing of the speech,** is what she thought she was doing. **To me, personally,** it would have had more impact if she had simply accepted it as a recognition of her immense talent and work as an actress, not as some huge step in the world accepting black women on the screen. > > jar I’m soooooo sorry that she didn’t consult you before making her speech. Lord knows she should have been prepared with a carefully worded speech that didn’t offend any of you delicate sensibilities. Once again, things aren’t to jarbabyj’s liking. So sad. But hey, if we are to talk about my witnessing of your post, then the only person overreacting here is jarbabyj. And there’s a door that was first busted down long, long ago and has been much overused since. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/17 "2002-03-25T17:15:52Z")
Okay, this is the part of her speech where she made reference to race and the Oscars. > [@](#): > > "Oh my God. I’m sorry. This moment is so much bigger than me. > > "This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me - Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett and it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. > > "Thank you. I’m so honoured. I am so honoured and thank the academy for choosing me to be the vessel from which this blessing might flow. Thank you. " The remainder was thanking people. Yeah, she thanked a lot of people - I can’t fault her for that. But in the above, I don’t see her taking credit for improved race relations. She specifically said that it’s “for” those that came before her; she said the moment was bigger than just her; she called herself a “vessel”. She acknowledged the significance of the moment, and I think it was sincere. Overall, I’d say it’s reasonably humble. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/18 "2002-03-25T17:18:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > **And I guess I’m just naive, but I see a TON of great African American performances out there from men and women. I also see a ton of great White performances. This year, the one black woman nominated was acres better than any of the white women nominated.** That’s what I thought too, at first. Then it dawned on me that that’s a very easy conclusion to make, for a white boy in a country where racism isn’t that big a deal as in the US. It’s a breakthrough, jar - and ms. Berry can react to it in any way she likes. Sure, it may have looked a bit over the top to _me_, but then, I’m not a female black actress. ---
**Author:** ![Calliope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Calliope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calliope)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/19 "2002-03-25T17:23:41Z")
I found her reaction and subsequent speech to be genuine, moving, and the result of being shocked to hell that she actually won. Why begrudge her a few moments of real, honest emotion? I wasn’t aware the “performance” of the acceptance speech was subject to critique. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018/20 "2002-03-25T17:24:41Z")
Sorry. I still see it as Halle Barry winning an award for being the best actress of 2001. I really can’t believe that the Academy sat around and said “gosh, it’s been 74 years…don’t you think we should quit this charade of excluding black women and give the award to Halle?” And as for opening the door for _every faceless woman of colour_…try again. Every faceless woman of colour had better have a kick ass body, a great manager, fantastic agent and A LOT OF ACTING TALENT. One woman a year can win the oscar for best Actress, and you’re lucky if it’s not Jodie Foster 🙂 This year it was Halle Barry, and she deserved it for a difficult and controversial part, but to suggest that the FILM industry and the wolf pack that is the ACADEMY is going to be changed because of what she did is ridiculous. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halle-barry-rein-in-in/100018.md?page=2)