The Perspectives page of The Blue and White offers students and staff an opportunity to express their thoughts about topics that affect our school, our community, or the world at large. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Apopka High School or The Blue and White.
The following editorial was contributed by Sophomore Hannah Moffa.
On January 23rd, the official Oscar nominees were announced. Many people who tuned into this announcement were shocked to learn Margot Robbie was not nominated for Actress in a Leading Role award for her performance in Barbie. After all the hard work and emotion that Robbie put into her role, her not even being nominated for the award makes you question if people really understood the meaning of the movie. Let it be known that the disappointment is not just from Robbie not being nominated, but the fact that costar, Ryan Gosling, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ken in the same movie.
Although Barbie was fun and entertaining, the main purpose of this movie was to encourage women of all ages to break stereotypes created against them and embrace individuality. Many girls around the world, including myself, watched Margot Robbie as Barbie and came to the realization that, even though people make being a woman out to be seemingly impossible, we are not experiencing these obstacles on our own. We are not alone in this world and should not have to feel that way. Robbie performed this role beautifully and deserves recognition for it. I believe that her not winning any Oscars for any of her performances and still portraying difficult roles perfectly shows how strong she is not only as an actress but as a woman.
Margot Robbie not being nominated is very disappointing, however, we cannot let this distract from the significance of which the list of nominees for Actress In a Leading Role award includes: The first Native woman to be nominated for this Oscar, Lily Gladstone. She is known for her role in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. In this movie, Gladstone takes on the role of Mollie Burkhart, a woman desperately trying to save her town from murders. Much like Barbie, this movie was made for purposes beyond entertainment. Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon tells a story of what it’s like facing a history of racism and exploitation. Gladstone also holds the record for being the first Indigenous women to win a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. Lily Gladstone is more than deserving of the acknowledgement she is receiving for her role.
Being a woman in this cruel world is enough, having an award determining their talent should not be the social norm. Each and every actress nominated, or not nominated, for this award portrayed their role uniquely and beautifully. They all deeply deserve winning along with the recognition for their work. I hope these women receive the respect and admiration they deserve so they can continue being strong role models that women of all ages need in this society. I hope that with these women dedicating their lives to their roles, people will realize what strength it takes to be a woman not only in the entertainment industry, but in the world. I hope that little girls continue having strong, talented, and powerful role models. Representation matters, and female actresses play an important part in creating a more inclusive world.
