The Oscar boycott by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith was shameful and counterproductive.

1.a is not relevant to any argument I am making. It is to be assumed that white actors played no role in the lack of recognition of nonwhites, but even if they did, it should have no effect on how blacks proceed. There are obstacles everywhere, in every endeavor, and the people who overcome are NOT those who complain about the existence of those obstacles. It makes no sense to ask for or demand recognition, or try to force others to give recognition. One does one's best, and hopes that others like what he does. Sometimes he succeeds and usually he does not. I DO hold that if blacks want to participate in what is an invention of whites, controlled and owned by whites, then the job of blacks is to make themselves attractive and desirable to whites, and make whites WANT to recognize and reward them. Just like everyone else has to do. To demand recognition is foolish. Regardless of who the boycott might have been directed at, the result was that innocent people were affected. "Collateral damage?" There is no need for that. Your analogy of the mother who -- you imply -- should leave her abusive husband REGARDLESS of the harm it causes to the children, is not effective. It is not clear at all that an abused mother should leave the husband regardless of the effects on the children. If the children will be harmed by such divorce, who is to say that the mother should not just accept the abuse in order to protect her children? (Although I understand that abuse of a mother will automatically harm the children as well.) In the same way, blacks should not disregard the feelings of others, just because those feelings might get in the way of what they want. What the abused mother wants, and what blacks want, are not the ONLY things that matter. There seem to be way too many blacks who insist that they should be able to do whatever they want to do and be whatever they want to be, and that people who don't like it or care for it are racist, bad. There is absolutely no logic in insisting that whites -- or blacks, for that matter -- must be interested in black film, film about blacks. Many people simply have no interest in this subject. Many BLACK people have no interest in films about slavery and racism and "overcoming." (Although most blacks do not care about this issue. A small minority of blacks, and probably more white liberals, give this issue its energy.) Regarding your second to last point, you have interpreted me correctly, for the most part. As I have already implied, if blacks want to be successful in a white film world, then they need to make films that appeal to whites (and others) -- not films that they feel SHOULD appeal to whites. If blacks want whites to support black films, finance black films, promote black films, appreciate black films, then blacks must make films that are FOR whites as much as blacks, with universal themes. For ANY actor or filmmaker to win any award is a rare thing. As Eastwood pointed out, the majority of WHITE people in film are NEVER nominated for an award in their entire career! It's not about what films are "superior," but about what films people like the most -- which is not often the same thing. Even the Academy is composed of people, who have likes and dislikes and biases. If blacks want awards from whites, then they need to make films that cater to whites. There are no objective criteria in art for determining better and worse. It appears to me that some black movie people are in film NOT from the love of the art, but from a desire to prove something, and therefore typically choose a subject that serves as a crutch, that gives them leverage, and can then do what some of them actually do: use the race card when things don't go as they like. Certain black movie people do not seem to be grateful for the opportunity they have to make film, do not seem to feel that they have been rewarded by having a career that allows them to satisfy their love. To be doing and having what Will Smith has, and STILL be critical of the industry he is in, and imply that it is racist, is stupid.Everyone should be ashamed of his actions in this regard, and of anyone who thinks in this way. It might not EVER be black peoples' "turn." It is not about turns. It is about talent and luck and drive. When will it be a white man's "turn" to win the 400-meter dash? If black people feel that the game is rigged against them, why would they want to participate?