Joaquin Phoenix has been taking every chance to address audiences about important causes that many might argue, aren’t being discussed nearly enough — his 2020 Oscars acceptance speech was no different.
If you watched last night’s Oscars, then you had the privilege of witnessing Joaquin Phoenix’s memorable acceptance speech.
As climate change and human rights have been urgently important issues these days, Joaquin took the time to touch on those topics after graciously accepting his award for Best Actor.
This wasn’t the first time, however, the he has used his time onstage to fight injustices.
Just one week ago at BAFTA, Joaquin took the time to address the “systemic racism” in the film industry — a problem that has been grossly neglected thus far.
“I feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege,” he said.
“I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here”.
“I think that’s the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry and in ways that we benefit from.”
“I don’t think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that’s what we give ourselves every year,” he continued .
“I think people want to be appreciated and respected for their work.”
He even pointed the finger at himself for being “part of the problem”.
“I have not done everything in my power — not all sets I’ve worked on are inclusive.”
His acceptance speech after winning the Oscar for Best Actor last night was equally as inspiring.
“I do not feel elevated above any of my fellow nominees,” he began .
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“Because we share the same the love of film and this form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life. I don’t know what I’d be without it.”
“But I think the greatest gift that it’s given me, and many of us in this room, is the opportunity to use our voice for the voiceless. “
“I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the distressing issues that we are facing collectively,” he continued.
“I think at times we feel — or we’re made to feel — that we champion different causes.”
“But for me, I see commonality.” he said.
“I think whether we’re talking about gender inequality or racism, or queer rights, or indigenous rights, or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice.”
“We’re talking about the fight against the belief that one nation, one people, one race, on gender, or one species has the right to dominate, use, and exploit another with impunity.”
The audience jumped in with a roaring and rightfully deserved applause before Joaquin could continue.
“I think that we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world,” he went on.
“And many of us — what we’re guilty of, is an egocentric world-view.”
“The belief that we are the center of the universe. We go into the natural world and we plunder it for its resources.”
“We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and when she gives first we steal the baby”.
“Even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable,” he continued.
“And then we take her milk that’s intended for the calf and we put it in our coffee.”
“I think we fear the idea of personal change because we think that we have to sacrafice something.”
“But human beings, at our best, are so inventive and ingenious, and I think that when we use love and compassion as our guiding principles, we can create, develop, and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and the environment,” he concluded .
Wise words from a wise man!
Let us know what you think of Joaquin Phoenix’s inspirational acceptance speech at last night’s Oscar Awards in the comments below!