Academy apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather, who refused an Oscar on Marlon Brando's behalf

[ificandream]

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hold a special event to discuss her appearance and the reasons for it.

(CNN)

(CNN)Sacheen Littlefeather had only 60 seconds to speak at the 1973 Academy Awards. In her brief speech, she refused the Oscar for best actor on behalf of Marlon Brando, faced a mixture of loud boos and cheers, and defended the rights of Native Americans on national TV.

Almost 50 years later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is formally apologizing to Littlefeather for the mistreatment she experienced during her speech and in the years to follow.

"The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified," former Academy president David Rubin wrote in a letter to Littlefeather. "The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration."
Littlefeather will appear at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures next month to discuss her history-making Oscars appearance and the future of Indigenous representation onscreen, the Academy said.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/15/entertainment/sacheen-littlefeather-oscars-apology-academy-cec/?dicbo=v2-667ed2c615fcbfcb89e313c26f5ddf49&hpt=ob_blogfooterold

Sacheen Littlefeather's speech at the Oscars.

&ab_channel=Oscars

Marlon Brando tells Dick Cavett why he rejected the Oscar.

[Sanity Claws]

1. Why didn't Brando do it himself?

He wanted to make a point. Why didn't he do it himself instead of sending someone else up to do his work?
Yes, the Academy needs to apologize but let's not forget Brando's role in this. Ms. Littlefeather was used, IMHO.

[Eugene]

2. Brando was boycotting the event. The boycott was the message.

Brando didn't make the racists in the room racist.

[John1956PA]

3. I remember the times well. The situation was surprising and confusing to many people.

I was a teenager, so I lacked the background and knowledge to parse through the event. When George C. Scott was nominated for Patton (1970) He made it clear beforehand that he would not attend the ceremony and that he would not accept the Oscar if he won. His reason was that he felt that the ceremony and awards were overblown publicity stunts. In 1973, I do not recall Brando making his thoughts public beforehand. Therefore, I was surprised when the situation unfolded at the 1973 Oscars telecast.