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| Oscar Devereaux Micheaux (January 2, 1884 – March 25, 1951) |
In honor of the Academy Awards this Sunday, I've decided to feature prominent African Americans in the film industry. Speaking of the Oscars, today's post is about an Oscar. Oscar Micheaux was a writer, director, film producer and is honored as being the first African American feature filmmaker. Before Spike Lee, there was Oscar Micheaux.
Oscar Micheaux noticed the insatiable need for respectable roles for African Americans in a white dominated film industry. His used to films as a way to serve his community, by eradicating the negative stereotypes of African Americans portrayed in motion pictures. The majority of Oscar's films took place in the early 1900's at time where most white people had a really "dim" view of African Americans (still do). Oscar decided to create characters who were demonstrative of the complex individuals we really are. Oscar also looked to put an end to the perpetual misunderstanding between the two dominant races in the United States.
Oscar paved the way for many of the African American film directors, and producers whose films seem to pack a message. Melvin Van Peebles, Robert Townesend and Spike Lee have in a sense continued with what Oscar primarily tried to convey with his films. Even though African Americans only to seem win Academy Awards for stereotypical roles, there are still glimmering examples of hope in many promising filmmakers. Oscar Micheaux is a primary source of inspiration to African Americans in the film industry, and in our culture. Oscar is a trailblazing pioneer in African American cinema, and another reason why black history should be celebrated year 'round(K*W)
