The Academy To Apologize To Native American Actress; Sacheen Littlefeather After 50yrs

One of the hardest things one may ever have to do in life is to deliver an apology. An apology, when correctly given and sincerely meant, can create deeper and more trusting relationships.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures says it will host an evening of “conversation, healing and performances” hosted by Native American activist and actress Sacheen Littlefeather.

The event will feature a formal apology to the actress who suffered decades of abuse within the industry following her appearance at the 1973 Oscars.

In 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather stepped onto the stage at the 45th Academy Awards and declined Marlon Brando’s Best Actor Oscar on his behalf. With this one act, she changed the Oscars – and television and film history – forever.

The actress and Native American rights activist became the first person to make a political statement at the ceremony. She famously took to the stage to decline Marlon Brando’s best actor award for The Godfather, at his request.

Brando’s refusal of the award was in protest of Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans and to draw attention to the standoff that was taking place between activists and the government at Wounded Knee, located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota.

Instead, Littlefeather gave a 60-second speech regarding the stereotypes and mistreatment of Native Americans in the entertainment industry.

“People don’t realize what my experience was. They had absolutely no idea – none – of what my experience was, what I went through,” Littlefeather tells the Academy. “And now, I’m here to tell my story the way that it was from my point of view, from my experience.”

On Monday, the Academy acknowledged that the actress, now 75, had been “professionally boycotted, personally harassed and attacked, and discriminated against for the last fifty years” following her actions.

“On September 17, join Sacheen Littlefeather at the Academy Museum for a night of conversation, healing, and performances as we reflect on the impact of her speech at the 45th Academy Awards (currently on view in our Academy Awards History gallery),” the organization tweeted.

“Sacheen invites you to a special celebration of live Native American Indian performances featuring a long-awaited statement of apology from the Academy”.

Wow! Fifty years later us a lot to take in.

A true and sincere apology offers real regret and remorse for our actions. It means acknowledging our faults, taking responsibility for the things we have done wrong, and opening a dialogue between two people.

Sacheen Littlefeather has finally been given the space to express herself. I hope the Academy will also give her a slot at the next Oscar if truly they are sorry.

What do you guys think?