"It is unfounded that you were insulted for speaking at the awards ceremony in 1973. The emotional burden you experience and the cost you pay in your career is irreparable. For a long time, the courage you showed was never recognized. For this reason, we extend our deepest apologies and sincere admiration to you..."
According to the "Hollywood Reporter" reported on the 16th, after nearly 50 years, the American Oscar side finally apologized to the Indian actress Sacheen Littlefeather ("Little Feather").
Sachin attended the 1973 Academy Awards in place of marlon Brando, protesting the distortion and injustice of the Indians by the U.S. judiciary and the U.S. film and television industry, but was insulted and slandered.
In response to Oscar's apology, Sachin said he was stunned and never thought he would "live to experience this." In addition, she said that she was not standing on stage for any praise, she just wanted to tell the truth.
Sachin refuses to accept the award in place of Marlon Brando From the BBC
"Hollywood Reporter" and other media news on the 16th, on June 18 this year, David Rubin, chairman of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Academy), has privately issued a letter of apology to Sachin on behalf of the Oscars.
In addition, it is reported that the apology letter, which has been late for nearly 50 years, will be publicly and officially read at the relevant event of the College Museum on September 17 this year.
Screenshot of the Hollywood Reporter website
The apology letter was intended to apologize for the injustices sachin suffered at the 1973 Academy Awards, as well as the injuries he suffered in his subsequent career.
49 years ago, at the 45th Academy Awards, Marlon Brando won the title of Movie Emperor for the movie "The Godfather". However, a month before the award ceremony, many American Indian activists launched a protest against the "Wound creek massacre" in 1890, and the US judiciary asked all news organizations not to report it.
Movie "The Godfather"
In protest against the U.S. government's initiatives and the U.S. film industry's injustice to the Indians, Brando decided to refuse to accept the award. In addition, he invited sachin, an Indian actress who was 26 years old at the time, to take the stage to refuse to accept the award in his place.
On the day of the awards ceremony, Sachin was under great pressure and humiliation. In addition to the constant boos, she was also subjected to slander and threats.
Backstage, howard Koch, asked her to keep her speech to a 60-second limit and have security officers arrest her backstage, according to Indian Today. However, brando prepared a 15-page speech for him, and Sachin had no choice but to improvise and pick the key points.
"It's a pity that Brando won't accept this generous trophy because of the way the film industry treats American Indians today... (Boos broke out at this time)... And what happened recently on the 'Broken Knee River Incident'... I ask that in the future, our hearts and minds will meet with love and generosity. ”
In addition, according to Sachin's recollection, during the speech, actor John Wayne tried to rush to the stage to personally attack Sachin, and was eventually controlled by security guards.
In fact, long after the awards ceremony, stereotypes about Indians continued to rumours about Sachin's identity and integrity, leading to the destruction of his acting career and personal reputation.
According to Sachin herself, she starred in several films before attending the awards ceremony, but after that day, the federal government threatened to cancel any talk shows or shows that put her on the show.
In addition, rumors about her even eroded the minds of posterity. In 2012, for example, actor Dennis Miller mocked Elizabeth Warren for claiming that "she is indian just like the strippers sent by Brando to the Oscars."
It wasn't until nearly half a century later that Oscar finally chose to stand up and apologize to sachin, now 75.
"In 1973, you stood on the Oscar stage and made a powerful statement accusing the film industry of distortions and injustices against Native Americans. This will continue to remind us of the need for respect and dignity... Today, nearly 50 years later, under the guidance of the College's Indigenous Coalition, we are strongly committed to ensuring that Indigenous voices are seen and respected. ”
In response to the Oscars' apology, Sachin said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, "I was stunned. I never thought I would live to see, hear, and experience this. Yes, [Oscar] should apologize. Like my friends in Indigenous communities said, it's long overdue. ”
After saying goodbye to his acting career, Sachin reportedly studied nutrition and traditional medicine and worked at Mother Teresa's AIDS Hospice Hospital in San Francisco. She once said, "I stood on stage not for any praise, but because I was with my ancestors, and what I said was the truth." ”
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