Who Remembers? 43 years ago, REJECTING AN OSCAR.. WHAT IS SHE DOING TODAY?
“Oh, I got threats,” Littlefeather remembered. “They said, ‘Why did they send a woman to do a man’s job?’ [The people backstage] said they’d give me 60 seconds, or they’d arrest me. John Wayne was in the wings, ready to have me taken off stage. He had to be restrained by six security guards. Afterward people questioned my authenticity, they said I wasn’t even Indian.”
More tense moments followed her brief speech. She said after leaving the stage, she was escorted away by “two security people who kept everyone at a distance from me so that I was protected. I remember some people making some very stereotypical sounds and tomahawk chops towards me afterwards. And I just blessed them and went on,” she told Broadly.
It's a very interesting read, sure to surprise you just a bit !
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Really interesting. I was 2 years old and obviously don’t remember that. I think I might have heard or read about it somewhere though.
graceylou
Level 8
Feb 24, 2019
0
this has been referred to in the media all along over the decades so people who weren't around a the time still have had a chance to see it.. I'm glad that you enjoyed it 
Brando was an idiot for doing what he did. He could have withdrawn his
nomination for consideration. He didn't have to accept the nomination at all.
Brando may have been a great actor, but he was a very flawed human being.
Just like everyone else.
If he knew he wanted to make a political statement, he could have had the balls
to appear and do it himself.
I remember watching it as it happened, and thinking she'd been put into a
really difficult and unnecessary position.
KKGator
Level 9
Feb 24, 2019
0
i guess he got the impact that he wanted. He received attention. Maybe not all good attention. It is interesting to look back on it and to see how people remember it.
@AmmaRE007 In truth, he didn't get that much attention, and what he did get was mostly negative. It was also a very different time. A lot of people, across the board, did not care very much about the plights of others.
His career definitely suffered. I remember a lot of people writing him off.
@KKGator I suggest that people cared far more then than know - just look at the role models they have had since 1976!
@Jolanta Isn't that what all narcissists do?
I was 16 and living in Canada and watching with my parents. We found it interesting that Marlon Brando would choose to use the Oscars for political protest and I think that we were a little surprised at the audience response.
Stephanie99
Level 8
Feb 24, 2019
2
They should ban John Wayne from attending this years Oscars!
RodLisht
Level 4
Feb 24, 2019
4
We should start a petition! Lol
John Wayne was an absolute Dick.
“I believe in white supremacy,” he said, and spoke harshly about African Americans, saying, “We can’t all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of the blacks.”
BufftonBeotch
Level 8
Feb 24, 2019
2
Wayne was weird. Normal prejudiced Merucan of his time, and gung ho Vietnam war. However, he had, probably select but still, black friends who he helped find work and often employed himself, and his long time wife was a Mexican citizen (she seldom attended functions with him). None of this should nullify his openly racist remarks. Think about his huge support of the Vietnam war, and his own profiting by making movies doing WWII. Other actors served, even in combat like Gable and Stewart as pilots. Even old Ronnie served, staying home and making Army PSA 's; Wayne could have done that.
Notice that the article is from 2016. A lot has happened in the last few years.
I remember the event well but I did not realize she was literally the first person to use the Oscars as a political platform. It's clear she was blamed and the fact that Marlon Brando got her to do it is nearly forgotten.
DeStijl
Level 6
Feb 24, 2019
4
aHH i Didn't notice it was from 16... I was young for the original showing but I remember hearing about over the years. Thanks for that note.
An iconic moment in both US history and the entertainment industry. John Wayne was always a sad sack as I understand so no surprises there. Consolidation and fraternity/soriety not exactly renowned in Hollywood.
Geoffrey51
Level 8
Feb 24, 2019
4
I've never heard of it before. I'm glad I have now. What an inspiring woman.
UpsideDownAgain
Level 7
Feb 24, 2019
3
I remember watching it on TV. I thought she was very brave and truthful.
Redheadedgammy
Level 9
Feb 23, 2019
2
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