In a society where everything is dictated by money, where people hardly stick to their values and feel pressured to hide their true selves, putting on those masks that match the images imposed by others, it feels refreshing to have someone speak their truth so genuinely.
As I watched the Oscars winners’ speeches this year, there was one in particular which I found truly thought-provoking.
Joaquin Phoenix won this year’s “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” for his performance in the movie “Joker”. He came on the stage and delivered a speech that shocked everyone. Question is “why did his words have such an impact?”
Probably because they were nothing like what we are used to as a society. Because nobody else has had the audacity to say such words out loud for the entire world to hear.
“I have been a scoundrel all my life, I’ve been selfish. I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with, and I’m grateful that so many of you in this room have given me a second chance.”
But rather than being shocked by this man recognizing his mistakes, shouldn’t we listen to what he actually wanted to say? Phoenix spoke a truth hard to accept–a truth we must face and take as a wakeup call. He spoke on behalf an entire generation, pointing out how people have become nowadays–self-centered, selfish, careless.
The world we live in is slowly dehumanizing us. We’ve come to think that we are blameless, when, in fact, each and every one of us contributes to our society. We are the reason for everything that happens around us. We are guilty of egocentrism and ignorance, and instead of taking responsibility for our actions, we keep pointing our fingers at the others.
Yet, the change we so desperately need is in our hands.
Too bad change is our greatest fear.
What the actor told us on the biggest night of Hollywood is that we must face this fear, that we must take our mask off, conscientiously look in a mirror, and then ask ourselves some questions. Who are we? Who do we want to be? These two questions most probably don’t have the same answer, or else the society wouldn’t function the way it does today. But how can we be at our best? Phoenix responded loudly and clearly: “when we support each other.”
Truth is no matter how much we lie and tell ourselves that nothing we’re doing is wrong, we’re never going to be happy, we’re always guilty. Instead of accusing others, we have to help each other grow. That’s the only way we can change this world for the best. Phoenix ended his speech by quoting one of his brother’s lyrics: “run to the rescue with love and peace will follow.”
I think these words spoke enough for themselves.
Now it is our turn to hear.
Andreea Sabina Craciun
hARTS writer since jan ’20
hARTS magazine 