The first openly queer woman of color was nominated and won, the first Latina to receive a directing credit on a Disney animated film won, the first deaf man to win an Oscar won and the first woman to be nominated for Best Director twice—a night of progress.

But it all was overshadowed by an act of violence.

Will Smith, who won the Oscar for Best Actor, slapped and cussed out Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 27. The news of the fight spread like wildfire with the media sinking in their teeth. 

Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, having a bald head because of her alopecia, resulting in Smith slapping Rock on live television.  Viral clips of a “smack cam” took away from the achievements earned that night, both for the winners and social change.

The groundbreaking winners exemplified the progress of the academy as well as society. That public support was stained by an outburst of anger resulting in an act of aggression,  a literal slap in the face of progress and merit.

Ariana Debose – The first openly queer woman of color winner

Ariana Debose won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in the film “West Side Story”. It’s tremendous progress for an Afro-Latina woman to win, and she’s also the first openly queer woman to be nominated.

Most queer actors who have recieved an Academy Award were not open about their sexuality at the time of recieving the award. Debose’s win gave public support to the queer community and showed the diversity inside the Latino and African Americans cultures.

“Encanto”- first Latina directing credit a Disney animated movie; first woman to score animated Disney feature.

The Disney animated film “Encanto” received the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Charise Castro Smith, co-director and screenplay co-writer of “Encanto,” was the first Latina to receive a directing credit on a Disney animated film. Additionally, Germaine Franco is the first woman to ever score an animated Disney feature. 

Not only did the movie’s crew make social strides, but the movie itself took a deeper dive into Latino diversity to which young children need to experience. “Encanto” winning an Academy Award was also a win in the hearts of the diverse Latino population.

Troy Kotsur- first deaf male winner

Troy Kotsur became the first deaf man to receive an Academy Award after winning Best Supporting Actor for his work in “CODA”, which won Best Picture. The actor dedicated his win to the deaf and disabled communities in addition to his coworkers on the film. 

Also, the film was the first movie backed up by a streaming company, Apple TV+, to win an award, which reflects the technological progress film and entertainment has achieved.

The highlight of the night wasn’t a signed (spoken in sign language) emotional speech about the paralyzation of Kotsur’s father.

“This is our moment,” said Kotsur in his speech.

Jane Campion- first woman nominated twice for Best Director

Jane Campion’s win for Best Director for her work in “The Power of the Dog” was the first time a woman had been nominated for Best Director twice. Campion is only the third woman to win Best Director out of the 94 Oscar ceremonies, so to win the award for the second time is groundbreaking for women in show business.

The Smith-Rock incident sparked controversy regarding whether the slap was scripted, whether the joke made was worth the slap. But the fact is this: it doesn’t matter. Talented actors, directors, producers, and composers had their earned spotlight taken from them, and instead the light shined on grown men fighting like children.  

This negative attention is a gold mine for the media, but it leaves the important facts out of the conversation. It’s important to give credit where credit is due, and leave petty fights and insensitive jokes out of the spotlight.