Emmys So Black - 2017 Emmy Awards Recap
What magical night in Hollywood celebrates the best of television?
Actors, directors and crew alike gathered in Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2017 for the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
The host, the charismatic Stephen Colbert, could not resist opening the show without a politically charged monologue including a cameo from Sean Spicer, who portrayed a controversial Donald Trump impersonation. Considering the tense political climate in the country following President Trump’s election, it is no surprise that the illustrious award show highlighted politics.
In addition to this year’s show contributing to the national conversation on politics, it was also a history-making, record-breaking moment for Black Hollywood.
The 2016 Annual Academy Awards’ #OscarsSoWhite outrage created a dialogue on the lack of representation from minorities in the entertainment industry. In the year that followed, many new series and films have emerged which are bringing well-needed cultural awareness and diversity into Hollywood. One can attribute shows such as OWN’s "Queen Sugar", FOX’s "Shots Fired", ABC’s "Secrets and Lies" and the already popular ABC hit, "Blackish" to display diversity in television. Touching briefly on film, the 2017 Oscars featured many nominations and wins for artists of color including Best Picture Moonlight, Lion, Hidden Figures and Fences.
The talents and abilities of artists of color have long been overshadowed.
This year’s Emmy Awards featured a refreshing recognition of black artists.
This writer agrees with the words of HBO’s "Insecure" creator and star Issa Rae when I say:
While Issa Rae was not nominated, she and the rest of the world rejoiced at the success of her peers.
Highlights include:
Donald Glover
FIRST Black Director to win Outstanding Director for a Comedy Series – “Atlanta”]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – “Atlanta” [the first black actor in 30 years
Lena Waithe
FIRST African Woman to win Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (with Aziz Ansari) – “Master of None”
Also a win for the LGBTQIA community
Sterling K. Brown
FIRST Black Actor in nearly 20 years to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – “This Is Us”
Dave Chapelle
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – “Saturday Night Live”
Chapelle is pictured above with Donald Glover.
In addition to these incredible wins, the presenter lineup included many artists of color Jermaine Fowler (“Superior Donuts”), Gabrielle Union (“Being Mary Jane”) and LL Cool J (“NCIS: Los Angeles).
What a time to be black in Hollywood.
Diversity in television has never been celebrated quite like this.
This year’s Emmy Awards provides a hopeful glimpse at the future of Hollywood- an industry that is slowly but surely embracing the fantastic contributions of black artists.
As an aspiring filmmaker, this is certainly encouraging and inspiring to see.
