The Oscars and Palestine: the Battle Between Reality and Escapism in Media Coverage
In an environment where global crises compete with celebrities for media relevance, a new tactic of weaponising the media's short attention span creates an overly simplified narrative of politics and allows events to go unnoticed. We live in an era desensitised to crisis and violence where many look to the media as a form of escapism. The Oscar nominations of 2024 sparked mass feminist discourse over the ‘snubbing’ of Greta Gerwig for her direction of the Barbie movie – a conversation that, while relevant to popular culture, overshadowed the attacks occurring in Palestine at the same time. The recent spike in attacks against Palestine since October 7th have amassed significant coverage, but it speaks volumes about our society that an awards show overshadows human rights violations. This is one example of how white feminism and prioritisation of celebrities and the wealthier class overtakes popular discourse, as contemporary issues are only discussed if they are ‘marketable’ or ‘attention-grabbing’ enough for the public eye. As we unravel the intricate web of feminist discussions, we discover the intersections of art, politics, race, class, and nationality, each playing a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of gender equality.
This is hardly the first time in which media has been politicised. Awards shows have been rife with discourse on racial and gender equality in recent years, with the successes of marginalised groups often reduced to being because of their minority status. Even the presidential criticism of Parasite’s 2019 Oscar win became politicised, highlighting that the production of art needs to remain diversified and is inalienable from our collective culture. While these discussions are not insignificant in changing popular discourse, there has been a rise in importance given to celebrities that overtakes the importance given to political and humanitarian events.
Women are affected in largely different ways by war than men. Women’s casualties are grouped with those of children, reinforcing a pro-natal stance and implying they are only significant in relation to their children. In the case of Palestine, the destruction of hospitals and insufficient aid has led to alarming rises in infant mortality and stillborn rates. This, of course, is uplifting enough for popular neoliberal discourse, in which issues are not systemic and can be solved through the inclusion of more women. The challenges faced by Palestinian women serve as a stark reminder that feminism must extend beyond borders, addressing the unique struggles faced by women in different geopolitical contexts.
The timing of significant events with high-profile media spectacles, such as the Oscars, raises questions about the utilisation of media coverage. The 2024 Oscars nominations coincided with the Israeli bombing of Gaza, yet the media coverage of the Oscars overshadowed the plight of Palestine. The ability of public events to overshadow global crises is not only unacceptable but also a testament to the need for diverse news outlets that provide varied perspectives. As the US has continued to veto pro-ceasefire efforts in Gaza, maintaining energy and vigilance in the movement for a ceasefire becomes crucial to holding world powers accountable. Media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and makes information about current events more accessible to the public, meaning it can be a useful tool to spread awareness and promote change. However, we must maintain that access to information is the individual’s prerogative – you are only shown the information you seek. This means that political and feminist discourse needs to become more intersectional to avoid the erasure of significant crises in contemporary politics.
In a world where the dichotomy of popular and intersectional feminism seems mutually exclusive, the challenge lies in navigating these complexities to ensure an inclusive and impactful movement that addresses the diverse struggles faced by women globally. As we dissect the nuances within feminist conversations, it becomes evident that embracing intersectionality is not just a choice but a necessity to foster a truly inclusive and transformative feminist movement.
Image courtesy of Praytitno via Wikimedia Commons, ©2010. Some rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the wider St. Andrews Foreign Affairs Review team.
