The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has apologised to the Native American actress Sacheen Littlefeather nearly 50 years after she was booed while making a speech at the Oscars
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Those watching the 1973 ceremony had been expecting Marlon Brando, announced as the winner of the best actor award for The Godfather, to receive his award
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Instead, Littlefeather appeared to explain that Brando could not accept it due to “the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry”.
When the presenter, Roger Moore, attempted to hand her the Oscar she refused to take it
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Littlefeather was able to make a brief speech but was met by jeers and boos.
Many in the audience were furious at her, with John Wayne reportedly having to be restrained by security guards
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David Rubin's letter of apology, sent in his final term as Academy president, said:
🗣️ “The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable"
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🗣️ “For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration”
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The Academy has released the letter and announced that Littlefeather has been invited to speak at its film museum in Los Angeles next month
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Littlefeather, now 75, told the Hollywood Reporter: “I never thought I’d live to see the day I would be hearing this.”
She added:
🗣️ “We need to keep our sense of humour about this at all times. It’s our method of survival”
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🗣️ “It is profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago. I am so proud of each and every person who will appear on stage”
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The 1973 Oscars was held at the same time as a two-month standoff between Native American activists and US authorities at Wounded Knee in South Dakota, prompted by the murder of a Lakota man
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Read more here👇
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@timesculture
Apologizing to her for making a fool of herself on TV? She is the one who should be apologizing to us.
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@timesculture
More evidence of just how well ahead of his time Marlon actually was. What a courageous act by Sacheen Littlefeather.
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@timesculture
This is the girl
#MarlonBrando
sent to Oscar’s and
#JohnWayne
was trying to run on stage and assault her he was back every year after ….insert
#WillSmith
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@timesculture
Always, a woman steps up. Brando could have done the same, but he used her. USED her. Think about that.
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@timesculture
An apology is nice and all, but how about drawing attention to the problems that Native American have in this country?
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@timesculture
Apology behind a pay wall. Says a lot about the system. I remember this event well, nothing changes.
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