Oscars Land Acknowledgment Sparks Social Media Backlash
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony featured a brief land acknowledgment segment that has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding performative activism and the complexities of acknowledging historical injustices. Actress Julianne Hough delivered the acknowledgment, recognizing the Tongva, Tataviam, and Chumash peoples as the ancestral landowners of the region where the awards show was held.
"We gather in celebration of the Oscars on the ancestral lands of the Tongva, Tataviam and Chumash peoples, the traditional caretakers of this water and land," Hough stated during the segment. "We honor and pay our respects to indigenous communities here and around the world." The segment, lasting approximately 15 seconds, immediately drew a wave of negative reactions across social media platforms, particularly on X, with many users labeling it as empty symbolism.
Critics focused on what they perceived as a lack of tangible action to accompany the acknowledgment. A common refrain among these criticisms was the demand for the land to be "given back" to the indigenous communities. Abigail Jackson, communications director for Senator Josh Hawley, characterized the acknowledgment as "performative nonsense," adding, "Give the land back if you’re so woke."
Similar sentiments were echoed by other commentators. Brad Polumbo, a contributor to the Washington Examiner, expressed his frustration more bluntly, stating, "I repeat: give it back or shut the f— up!" His comment, along with others, reflects a skepticism towards symbolic gestures that are not followed by concrete steps towards addressing historical injustices.
The criticism extended beyond simply questioning the sincerity of the acknowledgment. Connor Boyack, President of the Libertas Institute, raised questions about historical accountability, asking, "Do the named indigenous groups ever have to acknowledge who they took the land from?" This query introduces a layer of complexity, suggesting a need for a broader examination of historical land ownership and displacement among various groups.
Former Democratic campaign strategist Evan Barker simply wrote "WHHHYYY" expressing a common sense of cynicism toward the gesture, while Marine Corps veteran Rick Swift drew a comparison to expressions of support for foreign nations, suggesting that true commitment requires more than just words. "Will she be giving up her home?" he asked, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy of acknowledging land ownership without making personal sacrifices.
Political commentator Natalie Jean Beisner also weighed in, criticizing the perceived insincerity of the gesture. "Don’t pretend to care if you don’t actually care. Just be like me and say you don’t care," she wrote, emphasizing a preference for honesty over what she sees as performative activism.
The criticisms directed at the Oscars’ land acknowledgment reflect a broader debate surrounding the effectiveness and sincerity of such gestures. While proponents argue that land acknowledgments serve to raise awareness about indigenous history and promote respect for indigenous cultures, critics view them as empty gestures that do little to address the underlying issues of land rights, sovereignty, and historical injustices.
Los Angeles County, where the Oscars are traditionally held, adopted a formal land acknowledgment in 2022, recognizing the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples as the original inhabitants and caretakers of the land. The county’s acknowledgment also includes a statement acknowledging the historical trauma inflicted upon these communities through colonization, land seizure, and other injustices.
"The County of Los Angeles recognizes that we occupy land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples," the county’s acknowledgment reads. "We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants past, present, and emerging as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters."
The county further acknowledged that "settler colonization resulted in land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide, and multigenerational trauma." The acknowledgment concluded by stating the county’s commitment to "truth, healing, and reconciliation and to elevating the stories, culture, and community of the original inhabitants of Los Angeles County."
The adoption of the land acknowledgment by Los Angeles County, and its subsequent inclusion in events like the Oscars, reflects a growing trend towards acknowledging indigenous history and culture in public spaces. However, the backlash against the Oscars’ acknowledgment demonstrates the challenges of engaging in meaningful dialogue about these issues. Many perceive that these symbolic gestures are insufficient without concrete actions to address the historical injustices faced by indigenous communities.
The controversy surrounding the Oscars’ land acknowledgment underscores the need for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to addressing indigenous issues. While land acknowledgments can serve as a starting point for raising awareness and promoting respect, they should be accompanied by tangible efforts to support indigenous communities, protect their rights, and promote reconciliation.
