Julie Delpy ‘sometimes’ wishes she was black so she would get less criticism

wenn23363395

Back at the 2014 Oscars, Julie Delpy caused a minor kerfuffle. I didn’t remember exactly what it was about, so I had to go back to my two-year-old post about it – go here to read. The background: Delpy was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay alongside Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater for the final film in their unconventional trilogy, Before Midnight (the first two films were Before Sunrise and Before Sunset). It was Delpy’s second Oscar nomination, and I guess she was tired of the whole Oscar-campaign process. Or something. Just before the 2014 Oscars, she gave an interview in which she said:

“We have the Golden Globes. If you could see it, you wouldn’t believe that there’s anything good about it. The same goes for the Oscars. It’s 90 percent white men over 70 who need money because they haven’t done anything in a long time. You just need to give them two or three presents and they’re in your pocket. It doesn’t mean anything to me, so I don’t really care if there are women in the selection process.”

It’s fascinating to re-read her comments now, two years later, in the middle of a year-long conversation about gender equality and racial diversity in Hollywood, and the out-of-touch Academy. While I still think Delpy’s original comment was couched in bitterness, there is a vein of something interesting there, right?

Well, Delpy was at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday where she was asked about the Academy and the larger conversations happening over the past year. This is what she said:

“Two years ago, I said something about the Academy being very white male, which is the reality, and I was slashed to pieces by the media. It’s funny — women can’t talk. I sometimes wish I were African American because people don’t bash them afterward. It’s the hardest to be a woman. Feminists is something people hate above all. Nothing worse than being a woman in this business. I really believe that.”

[From The Wrap]

Once again, there’s a sting of bitterness that takes away from whatever valid point she might have been trying to make. Personally, I don’t think it’s harder to be a woman in Hollywood rather than an African-American, but that’s probably because I believe IT IS NOT A COMPETITION. No one gets a prize for being the most aggrieved and victimized person in Los Angeles. You can be a feminist AND want racial diversity to be represented in films. Intersectional feminism is a thing and more people should try it. As for this: “I sometimes wish I were African American because people don’t bash them afterward.” That’s a textbook example of non-intersectional white feminism. Check your privilege, Delpy.

(PS… How has #OscarsSoWhite turned into #Sh-tWhitePeopleSay?)

Update: Thanks to BlueSky for this, Delpy has already apologized. Here’s her apology:

“I’m very sorry for how I expressed myself. It was never meant to diminish the injustice done to African American artists or to any other people that struggle for equal opportunities and rights, on the contrary. All I was trying to do is to address the issues of inequality of opportunity in the industry for women as well (as I am a woman). I never intended to underestimate anyone else’s struggle! We should stay alert and united and support each other to change this unfair reality and don’t let anyone sabotage our common efforts by distorting the truth. Again I’m so sorry for this unfortunate misunderstanding, people who know me, know very well that I can’t stand inequality and injustice of any kind.”

[Via MSN]

Once again with the “misunderstanding” or “misinterpretation” excuse. And she shouldn’t have apologized for how she “expressed” herself, she should have apologized for what she said full-stop.

wenn21146211

Photos courtesy of WENN.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

167 Responses to “Julie Delpy ‘sometimes’ wishes she was black so she would get less criticism”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Who ARE these people? says:

    My unfinished basement does not have enough room to unpack all the mess in that suitcase.

    • Alice too says:

      And just think…this is the woman that Hollande, that moron, was cheating on the French First Lady with. Not that the First Lady was any prize either, since she and Hollande were having an affair behind the back of his long-term live in lover and mother of his several children for years before that relationship ended.

      • EM says:

        No it wasn’t Delpy he was cheating with, but Julie Gayet. Delpy is the actress in those stupid films she wrote and directed. 2 Days in Paris or whatever. Forgettable film turds.

      • Anne tommy says:

        The Sunrise, Sunset and Midnight trilogy is wonderful. What she said here isn’t. And people should really get their facts right before calling her a cheater, thanks for the correction EM.

      • Naya says:

        Lol. Why do French presidents have such entertaining personal lives.

      • FF says:

        @ Alice Too

        Somebody needs to make a film about that.

    • sanders says:

      I really tried to like the trilogy. I couldn’t get through it. It felt like I was trapped at a party, with a really boring person, nattering on about their lives in the most self absorbed way possible.

  2. One2 says:

    Wow.. just wow

    • denisemich says:

      She should not have compared the women rights struggle to the black struggle because black women do exist, so stupid.

      She should know better. I thought she wrote and directed a movie with Chris Rock as her love interest.

      But in America, It is usually better to be a man of any color than a woman.

  3. grabbyhands says:

    Oh my god, everything you say just makes it WORSE.

    • BritAfrica says:

      IKR? Why do they have this crazy need to apologise? She sounds like an intelligent woman who said what she thought. It may not be the view of many, but if that’s your opinion, then that’s your opinion.

      She’s wrong as I don’t believe I get less criticism for being black than she does for being a woman, I might not be criticised so vocally openly, but it is certainly there!

  4. Pinky says:

    I’ve got dibs on what she says next–I need a whole lotta manure to fertilize my garden.

    Idiot doesn’t get that some women in Hollywood are also black. Feminism is losing the war because of the idiot spokespeople with the platform.

    Speaking of, why haven’t we heard a peep from Patricia Arquette?

    -TheRealPinky

    • amunet ma'at says:

      I agree. This is my one of my issues with feminism and why I had to re-evaluate my stance and take a step back. I believe in the concept of feminism but do not want to be apart of this group of women at all. Many aspects of the feminist movement is just a bag of No, overstepping the great concepts behind it.

      • Chicago says:

        Please don’t let this influence your dedication to feminism. Read Patricia Hill Collins first.

      • amunet ma'at says:

        This didn’t influence my decision the historical actions of several “feminists” influenced my choice. I’m good, as I said the actual definition of the theory is better than how it’s being implemented by many so-called “feminists”.

    • Pinky says:

      I knew she wouldn’t get it right. She still doesn’t believe in the mythological black woman in Hollywood. But who can blame her? They are virtually invisible…just ask the ACADEMY!

      Boom.

      –TheRealPinky

      • Naya says:

        Yasssss! Jada Pinkett has been at the center of all the reporting on this thing and this woman still has not connected that a person can be both black and a woman?

        Besides, ALL of the black entertainers who have spoken have been ripped apart too. And when gay entertainers do speak up, they will also be attacked. If you challenged the status quo, ALWAYS expect resistance (and push on regardless), dear white feminists.

      • amunet ma'at says:

        LOL, exactly. Maybe she can deign to help the cause by pulling a “Black Like Me” and making it into a documentary for next year’s Oscars they would eat it up. Oh the travesty and injustice voiced from a white woman.

    • Original T.C. says:

      Well at least it sounds like a genuine apology instead of those “I’m sorry you were offended”. *Sigh*. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt but yeah I’m sure her co-star Chris Rock will be dragging her at the Oscars.

      I’m so glad that people are starting to see how White feminists take on the racist views of the White male patriarchy, many of my friends have been saying it for years as they became disillusioned with the feminist movement.

      They really don’t “SEE” Black women. We are just foot soldiers to increase the numbers in the feminist movement and the first to face racism from them when they gain power. Really sad. In a way I wonder if this is why women like Streep who are pro-women don’t want to be associated with the White Feminist label. I just remember her tearing Walt Disney to shreds last year for being anti-women so she’s not afraid to speak up but is running away from that White Feminist label.

      Anyway, I will grab popcorn and wait for more interviews.

  5. Lurker says:

    Wow this Oscar debacle is really revealing a lot of true colours isn’t it?

    • NewWester says:

      Just think we still have a month before the actual Oscar ceremony. I am sure there will be more “WTF” comments to come out

    • turtle says:

      I LOVE this conversation for just that reason!

      True colors!

      • NewWester says:

        Here is an idea for a movie: How about somebody do a movie about the Oscars and the whole process of who gets nominated and the voting? I would imagine that it would be quite an eye opener.

      • Boxy Lady says:

        @NewWester There was a movie made with a similar subject matter back in the 60s. Months back, I caught the last 40 minutes of a film called The Oscar on one of those HD movie channels that shows more obscure films. It starred Milton Berle and Tony Bennett(!) and was about a guy who was nominated for Best Actor and it showed all the ways he had manipulated and stepped on people while he was coming up in Hollywood. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the whole thing but the parts that I *did* see made me wish someone would remake it for today’s times.

        http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060801/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_10

    • Amanda G says:

      It certainly has… The number of clueless or racist people in the industry that have already revealed themselves is astonishing. It is sad that many have been women who should know first hand how tough it is in white male Hollywood. Have any promominate white actors boycotted the oscars yet? So many act like they are liberal, but when it comes down to it, they love winning more.

    • Insomniac says:

      Indeed. I wonder how many other people I’m going to lose total respect for by the time the ceremony rolls around.

      • Lurker says:

        No kidding. We still have a month to go. I am curious to see how much I am going to loathe Hollyweird by then.

  6. Nebby says:

    Does she know it’s not either or? You can be black and a woman, we do exist. And also her point about blacks not being criticized for speaking out is just wrong. Jade Pinkette (a black woman) spoke out and has been dragged called selfish and outed as bisexual for speaking.

    • Pinky says:

      Sorry. You don’t exist. She’s right. And she and the Academy have spoken.

      –TheRealPinky

    • OhDear says:

      It’s like that DiCaprio comment about how women have been oppressed more than any people of any race or religion.

      • FLORC says:

        IMO it carries no weight from him.
        That was a staged talking point to offset any future questions during his campaign regarding women and selective choices.

      • Trillion says:

        I agree with him. Bashing women will not garner the same outrage as bashing someone for race. This is because sexism exists, by and large, without impunity. In fact, sexism can actually be used as a selling point in mainstream film, music, literature, etc. The same cannot be said of racism. That being said, I hate that it’s been made into some sort of competition. It shouldn’t be about competing, but it is an eye-opening comparison.

      • OhDear says:

        @Trillon – no, because he makes it sound like women and race/religion are mutually exclusive. This isn’t a “competition,” it’s the fact that there are *gasp* non-white women! Who may also be of a certain religion and/or even LGBT!

    • mee says:

      delpy=young rampling? she completely waved her white feminist privilege flag all over this one and now needs to hide it from all the crap that people will rightfully throw at her. i guess the publicists/ managers are earning their keep these days cleaning up their clients’ verbal mess.

  7. teacakes says:

    goddamn this week has been coming for all my faves (more like, they’re showing their asses)

    First Rampling, now Delpy……. I really hope I never have to hear anything as delusional as this from Dunst.

  8. Sixer says:

    “My feminism will be intersectional or it will be bullsh!t.”

    That’s what she needs to read. Without the exclamation mark.

  9. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    Oh, I see what she means. I’m a white feminist, and it IS much harder than being black, so, so much harder. Sure, I don’t get stopped by the police for driving a nice car, but people get mad when I say stuff. And they criticize me. That hurts much worse than having a jewelry store refuse to unlock their door for you, or having a gym suddenly be “full” or have people looking at you suspiciously for no reason than the color of your skin. I mean, people criticize me. Ouch. I get it, Julie. Poor us.

    • minx says:

      + 10000

    • Anne says:

      Yes. She is saying that she had an experience that hurt. (“I was slashed to pieces by the media.”) Whenever people are coming from “woundedness” (I use that word lightly here) they tend to exaggerate the importance of their own struggle because they are caught within it. They become self-centered. We all tend to do this, at times. I’ve done it in my personal life. I see my family do it often enough, without catching themselves. I take the point you are making about her overstatement and I agree, but I don’t think we should react to her over-sensitivity by trivializing her experience. There’s no compassion in that.

      I tend to take these things too seriously, sorry.

  10. turtle says:

    As a black woman I do find her comments revealing.

    I also dont find them offensive.

    What people need to understand is that in order to have progress we have to get it ALL OUT. That includes all respectfully expressed opinions like Ms. DELPYS.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I don’t understand how her completely dismissing the problems associated with being black, comparing her privileged life to that of black people and finding hers so much more difficult, and making the ridiculous claim that black people are never criticized is “respectful.” You think we need to get it all out. She doesn’t, because she thinks the only problems that matter are her own. You are much more generous to her than she is to you, and perhaps that’s an intelligent, compassionate and peaceful way to go through life. But I’m not convinced that she is being respectful at all.

    • Marny says:

      I totally agree. People shouldn’t be afraid to say what they feel for fear of being reprimanded. Only HONEST discourse will lead to something better. There are layers and layers to this and people should be brave enough to work through it all. Shutting people down doesn’t resolve anything.

    • msd says:

      She phrased it really badly but what she seemed to mean is that #oscarssomale would never have gained traction or lead to changes. That’s probably true. I think she was also responding to the fact that #oscarssowhite is being talked about in the context of black men and movies about black men.

  11. QQ says:

    This delicious cup of White Feminism™ In the morning, I see you Baby! Bet Annie Lennox and Patricia Arquette are chomping at the bit to outstupid her

    • Marty says:

      Frankly QQ, I don’t think this Oscar conversation starts to get real until Anne Hathaway writes a Facebook post about and makes it all about herself.

  12. Echo Stardust says:

    Maybe she’s saying that because of past oppression and discrimination, people in the industry tend to show more sensitivity towards black criticism and because of this their comments are not as scrutinized as criticism from [what is seen as] privileged white women? I don’t know. Or, maybe she’s an idiot.

    • FF says:

      If those are the two choices then she’s an idiot.

      And this magical ‘sensitivity’ is merely the one where white people don’t like being called racist for saying or doing racist things. You only have to look at the industry’s predominant images of black people and the ones it most frequently rewards to see the complete absense of sensitivity and understanding – even when it’s been repeatedly explained.

  13. CornyBlue says:

    What is wrong with these whites ? Do Black women not exist or something ?

  14. Susan says:

    Good god why are all these a holes coming out of the woodwork and running their mouths?? Sometimes I forget why publicists keep their actors on such short leashes….and then weeks like this happen. Sheesh.

  15. Nancy says:

    When a person makes a statement on how they feel deeply about something as she did, fine, it’s her right as an American. What I hate is they ALWAYS make a desperate attempt to apologize for their feelings when they get backlash. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it, if you mean it but don’t want to share it, don’t put it in print which will last till the end of times. Own your words.

    • jinni says:

      She’s not American. We don’t claim her. She’s French. We, Americans, have enough homegrown idiots to deal with without adopting other countries simpletons.

      • Nancy says:

        Lol……people are people no matter where they come from or what color their skin is. I guess my point was don’t say it if you back down to rejection of your thoughts.

  16. Me too says:

    Why does anyone need to issue an apology? It isn’t genuine. It is to please all of the lemmings, many in this site, that cannot think for themselves. Everyone is entitled to their own feeling and opinions. Her experience is personal. I cannot imagine what it must be like for talented actors these days. They must act like robots, speaking 100% over-the-top PC, as though they are running for political office. News flash! They are not politicians and it would be wonderful to allow individuals to speak freely without this nonsense dissection and judgement. Thanks for telling me how to view the world. I just couldn’t make it without everyone constantly telling me which opinion is correct or wrong. Tired of the victimization of everything that is not white or male or straight-as-arrow heterosexual. I say this as a female that is attracted to both men and women and could give a flying F about applying a label to myself. I identify as me, a truly unique individual that needs to label. I wake up alive and happy every day. That is all that matters. Live your truth and let others live theirs. Geez. Get a life.

    • uninspired username says:

      Shut up.

    • soxfan says:

      Said the privledged white female

    • Pinky says:

      The ROT has arrived in full force.

    • jinni says:

      No one is saying she doesn’t have a right to her opinion. She can believe whatever she wants to, but the right to an opinion doesn’t mean that everyone has to agree with and not call her out on said opinion. Especially when one makes it in a public forum like she did.

      Also, she didn’t have to apologize. Plenty of public figures say things that get people angry and they get called out for, but they never apologize for it. Unlike those people she can’t take the heat of being called out for her messed up statement and decide to apologize or her people made her do it to save her image. Either way she could have saved her apology because it doesn’t mean anything. She said what she said and she meant what she said and I for one am not falling for this pr bs .

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      She’s not talking about her own personal experience. That would be “I made a comment about equality and I was harshly criticized for it. Being a woman is difficult in this industry.” No, she went on to dismiss the experience of an entire race by saying how much easier it would be to be black. Have you actually thought about that? How can you not see the cold, dismissive, privileged, blind nature of her statement? I couldn’t care less whether she issues an apology, but I find it odd that you are more offended by the fact that others take exception to her extremely ignorant statement than you are by the statement itself. How about letting people express their justified disappointment without calling them lemmings who can’t think for themselves? In my opinion, you’re the one who isn’t thinking. Your sympathies, with poor actors who can’t even make racist stupid statements without being called out for it, are entirely misplaced.

      • Don't kill me I'm French says:

        +1

      • censored says:

        GNAT for president LOL

      • siri says:

        “Two years ago, I said something about the Academy being very white male, which is the reality, and I was slashed to pieces by the media. It’s funny — women can’t talk. I sometimes wish I were African American because people don’t bash them afterward…”

        She in fact IS talking about her own experience. She doesn’t “dismiss the experience of an entire race”. She’s mistaken by thinking being African American would make her immune towards criticism, see the shade on Pinkett Smith. However, I don’t understand why people feel offended by the (perhaps stupid, or ignorant) opinion of others all the time to such a degree, that they actually get offensive themselves. It doesn’t really help matters.

    • EM says:

      No one is forcing these actors to speak, but they do. Why? Because they are stupid. If they were smart, they would be scientists, doctors, etc, but no they are actors, i.e. narcissists. Is that not enough of an indication?

    • Sixer says:

      It’s not about how you view the world; it’s about how the world views you.

    • minx says:

      I despise the expression “PC”–it’s usually a sneering way to excuse words that are hateful, racist, sexist or homophobic.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        I agree, and it’s usually used by the same people who claim that you can’t say anything anymore without someone getting offended, meaning that they’re mad that they can’t call people words that are racist, sexist or homophobic.

      • Insomniac says:

        Yep. Whenever someone starts off a sentence with “I’m sorry this isn’t *PC* …”, I know I’m in for a real treat.

      • EM says:

        PC avoids the crux of the issue. So in one way, it is PC because it’s avoiding the reality of our culture – a culture that publishes stories (before they become movies) featuring white people. Name me one publishing franchise or single publishing sensation, that became a film franchise in the last two years, that did not feature a white person as a lead character? Anyone? Hunger Games? Harry Potter? Gone Girl? Sure you’ll say ‘Precious’, but that’s one in how many?

        This is the reason why it’s pointless to attack the Oscars. People should be questioning Penguin Random House and why there is a lack of diversity in their best selling novels. Because most of the time, these novels are made into movies.

    • Natalie says:

      What I’m getting from your post is that you’re happy, therefore everyone else needs to shut up. I could come up with some labels for that kind of thinking.

      Opinions evolve. It is acceptable to say something very dumb, learn from how your words are recieved and then change your statement. Let’s not get so stubbornly bogged down in *living our personal truth* that it keeps us from growing as people.

      Now, Julie Delpy is probably just doing damage control, but overall there does seem to be an unfortunate trend to getting defensive and lashing out rather than learning.

  17. cleveland girl says:

    Totally off topic here – I can’t believe she is 46…I think all the hollywood stars fudge their year of birth by about 10 years.

    • Pinky says:

      That woman is sixty-twelve.

      –TheRealPinky

    • Don't kill me I'm French says:

      No Botox,no filler and probably a sensitive fragile white skin

    • Yana says:

      I’m guessing she’s a smoker.

    • antigone says:

      I believe it-she just looks like she doesn’t get any work done. She’s pale and she probably smokes or has smoked at some point in her life. Her comment was ridiculous but on an unrelated subject I give her credit for letting herself age naturally.

    • EM says:

      With smokers you have to add a decade. Delpy looks 12 years older. Jerry Hall looks like she’s nearing 70. And this is because they avoid botox, etc – unlike Aniston. They should take a leaf out of Aniston’s books. If Aniston didn’t get injected and peeled every so often, she’d like like a decrepit 80 with all the tanning and smoking.

  18. Wilma says:

    And another one bites the dust

  19. EM says:

    French people trying not to be racist…Is Delpy best friends with Marine?

  20. Tiffany says:

    There is a story circulating that Chris Rock is already writing new material and it not going to go with what the writers have written for the show.

    I pray to the comic gods that he goes after Rampling and Delpy, hard.

    • EM says:

      So the opening speech will be a cringefest? Even more cringeworthy than Gervais?

      • FF says:

        An opening speech is pretty easy to miss if you’re worried.

      • EM says:

        I’d like to watch awards for what they are, not to listen to the passive-aggressive hatred of presenters, who pass it off as satire or comedy. The thing is, it’s not.

    • Who ARE these people? says:

      And Billy Friedkin and Michael Caine and Mel Gibson and…oh, and for a low-cal dessert, Zac Efron and that ridiculous tweet about being grateful for MLK Jr and oodles of fans.

      • EM says:

        LOL that tweet. It’s the month of stupid.

      • Tiffany says:

        It going to be good. And some of them will be in audience. I cannot…wait. This will be the year no one gives a damn about the winners. Sorry Leo.

        This will be Rock’s greatest performance yet.

      • Jo 'Mama' Besser says:

        That tweet was so white it’ll win an Oscar.

    • Kiki says:

      @Tiffany I don’t think people will be watching who will win or not. It’s going to be hell to pay Academy Awards that they are going to have a huge ratings when it is all about Chris Rock and not the Academy. Oh the sweet joy of Bitter resentment. I wii live for it.

    • BritAfrica says:

      Oh dear Lord….he isn’t??! There is going to be an awful lot of embarrassed ‘laughter’ on the night when the jokes start to roll…

  21. EM says:

    Delpy’s comment is worse than Rampling’s. The more I turn it over in my head, the more I think, ‘WTF?’
    No darl, you get criticism because your films are crap as is your acting.

  22. OSTONE says:

    It’s funny, because I do know a lot of people who actually think like Julie or like Christine. They are appalled! The NERVE of criticize the ACADEMY awards for Affirmative Action’s sake! Who think Black History Month/Hispanic Month is racist. Who still believe Obama is not American and are supporting Trump 100% because they cannot stand diversity. And sadly, it’s a portion of institutionalized racism and another portion fear.

  23. HK9 says:

    The depth of her ignorance, is staggering.

  24. The Eternal Side-Eye says:

    You know her comment does offend me, and it’s not because its insensitive but it takes a SPECIAL kind of ignorance to look at history. To look at literally ANY part of black history since slavery and not say, “Maybe blacks aren’t as talented, maybe they’re less smart.” but instead, “Ugh, those blacks are lucky, you can’t say anything critical to them.” It’s like the men who don’t care about the way women are routinely paid less, abuse, rape, and other horrific problems but want to whine about how it’s unfair you can’t hit a woman because oh, that’s just unacceptable in society.

    I do believe white feminists can be allies, but women like that are the reason so many feel like white feminists are always enemies.

    Get some damn sugar for your bitter coffee you ridiculous woman.

    • Brittney B. says:

      As a white woman who is also a feminist (and who believes intersectional feminism is the only true feminism), I get it. I get the skepticism and even the animosity from women of color. It’s not racism or prejudice; it’s the result of centuries of being silenced and hearing comments like these from people with far more power and visibility.

      The comparison to MRAs is apt.

    • Jo 'Mama' Besser says:

      The sodium content in her comments could season a Christmas turkey.

  25. Kiki says:

    Why? Why? I am sick and tired of these Rich, Privilege, Entitled, Spoiled White People who make excuses for the Stupidity the said. Why can’t they acknowledge that they are rich and entitled to anything they can get? Why can’t these rich White People realized they can go to the best schools, the best restaurants and the best everything that they can have at the palm of their hands? Why can’t they just shut up? I am sick and tired and fed up of these Rich White People making excuses and justify what they said. It breaks my heart, as a matter of fact it reduce me to tears, that these WHITE PEOPLE do not have the decency and the empathy to say I AM SORRY.

    • Giddy says:

      Yes. It’s actually very simple to make a sincere apology, but none of them manage it.

      • Jay says:

        Because none of them are actually sorry. Would a fake ass apology really make you feel better? People need to stop demanding apologies when it’s obvious the person meant what they said.

  26. The Original Mia says:

    Bish, please. I wish you could live as a black woman for 1 day. You’d go running back to the hills screaming.

  27. Tig says:

    Well at least she’s not being referred to-yet- as an old hag/c$$t/deserves to die/b€%ch, etc. That’s one reason I come to CB- people take the time to post interesting and well thought out analysis of the comments folks make, both the story and other commenters. I am by no means defending either woman’s comments, but am also not happy with “old” fill in blank being tossed around with abandon as a way to express outrage over what was said. Tho have seen that much more on other sites than here.

  28. Brasileira says:

    …another idiot decides to let words fly out of her mouth. God bless.

  29. FF says:

    Several things:

    1. The comments on that original post were revealing. She was judged then like Jada is now, so bang goes her theory lack of criticism for AA.

    2. Which is a ludicrous assertion in itself when AA people are protesting just so they and their children aren’t shot in the streets.

    3. lol, The #FFFFFFeminism of the recent original statement: female AA don’t exist? They don’t experience sexism? Feminism excludes AA (well I know that’s the default setting of #FFFFFFeminism so it’s nice to hear it outright but…)?

    4. AA don’t receive criticism? Well if she is as blind to reality as this what more can be said.

    5. So… your literal next stop when you got excoriated is to complain AA ‘don’t get criticised’ but not the fact that your #FFFFFFeminist sisters didn’t have your back? Surejan.gif

    6. I actually agree with her two-year old observation. It was valid no matter if she was bitter or why. Tbh, I’d be bitter if I’d accepted this event (the Oscars) as the pinacle of my profession and then been nominated and far from merit found out it was all about whose interests you serve and whose ego you fluffed, and how persistently you kissed butt. If the scales fell off her eyes and she became disillusioned, being around people still gung ho about and pushing the process would probably lead me to make similar statements and sound bitter af. It would also be easy to say if I had another film industry and market to potentially fall back on.

    However, I appreciated the insight into what does and doesn’t win and why. Someone should publish an anonymous expose.

    That said: all these white feminists showing their asses where black women are concerned is beyond fucking tiresome, this is why WoC frequently have no time for them.

    There needs to be a movie called Dear White Feminists, at this point.

    • mom2two says:

      Clapping for all of your points FF. But I wanted to highlight point #6-I think Julie was 100% right about that and your observations on that point are spot on. With all the changes the Academy is making pulling a Harvey Weinstein on voting Academy members to get nominated and win is another thing that should be stopped.

      I would add to FF’s comments about Julie’s remarks that we are talking about but FF is so spot on, I have nothing else to add.

  30. SJO says:

    K devils advocate. And for the record I think what she said was stupid. But it COULD be that she was referring to our societal tendency to shred women where a man would simply be scolded or given some side eye. And of course women are the champions at shredding one another.

    • Nic919 says:

      I can’t help but think that while Delpy and Rampling are being attacked for saying stupid things, the white guys who are in control of the actual problem are still being racist and sexist. And let’s take it out of Hollywood. Women of all races make less than men. Women still don’t have the same career opportunities as men. And while we are fighting over who is the right kind of feminist, the white guys in charge are not forced to change a thing.

    • Saks says:

      I agree. I think she was trying to make a point about sexism and misogyny, but it would have been better (and wiser) to keep race out of it. Yet, thinking about it:

      – Tom Hardy is a violent, rude, cheater…, everyone loves him because he is hot.
      – Alicia Vikander says she “is prepared to be more known” and everyone goes, “oh that b**ch is so ambitious, how dare she…” (Or insert how people react to Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway, etc.).
      – Michael B. Jordan and Anthony Mackie said stupid sexist things, doesn’t matter.
      – Jada said some valid points about this issue, everyone went crazy in rage because obviously her motives couldn’t be sincere (I don’t even like her and I cant stand her kids, and yet thought most of the responses were unnecessary rude).

      I mean, this are just obtuse examples which came to my mind, but that seems to be the tendency: men receive second chances and the benefit of doubt, women don’t.

      I don’t know why they are dividing the social injustices so much, they can be an activist for feminism and support other social causes, it would actually add depth to the conversation.

      • Kiki says:

        @Saks. How about Shia Lebouf… He is has been a douchebag in a past decade and still been hated on. I get what you ar saying but I don’t follow people who are hot or cool. So people like Tom Hardy as a violent cheater if it is true I wouldn’t like him.. Anthony Mackie… I don’t pay any attention to that clown and I don’t anything about MBJ…

        Either way, I am not in for censorship but you should watch your words and these idiot celebs don’t see that.

    • Trillion says:

      men shred one another as well, but it’s never referred to as “gossip” or “cat-fighting”. It’s serious man-business!

    • kibbles says:

      When I read her comment, I thought she meant that as a white woman, she received a lot of criticism due to her previous comments. If she were black and had said the same thing, no one would have dared to criticize or challenge her. I’m thinking that in her mind, the public, or perhaps other white people, let black people off easy with saying things that could be construed as offensive. I can’t believe she said that without even thinking that her comment could be offensive to black people. She seems to put her foot into her mouth a lot. I agree with some of her statements, but there are better ways of getting the main point across without putting someone else down.

  31. Brittney B. says:

    Since when did black actors get no criticism for speaking out against white male privilege?

    Because I’d like to live in that world….

  32. censored says:

    All the Black people are men and all the women are white to be Black and a Woman is to not exist
    And apparently we will get an annual reminder of this every awards season ….LOL

  33. claire says:

    Racism is a cause people will take up. Sexism is not. People don’t want to be thought of as racist so will be careful. They don’t care if they look sexist. People in power will rip apart women speaking up. Policies will get changed with the Oscar to address the issues of racism. The issues of sexism in the industry will continue to get swept under the rug. Acts of racism will destroy a career. Acts of sexism won’t.

    Those things may have been her underlying thoughts that spurred her statement. But it is not a competition, Julia. And things intersect. Saying she wished she was black so she got taken more seriously is just a whole lot of wtf, coming from a white woman.

    • nn says:

      Not all women are white, hello!?!

      • claire says:

        Totally aware of that. Do you have anything else to add or are you just pasting that everywhere?

        I’m talking in a generic sense of systems, not individuals. Furthermore, when you discuss these systems, the patriarchy comes into play.

      • nn says:

        Never pasted it anywhere but anyway I completely disagree with your comment.
        What do you mean “generic sense of systems”. You can’t separate black women’s blackness from their womanhood and it is something white feminists always tend to do.
        Sexism + racism intertwined is something that is rarely talked about and it is something black women have to deal with everyday.
        Julie said she wishes she was black and it goes back to the idea that all the women are white and all blacks are men.
        Black women are made to feel invisible and like their issues aren’t important.
        White women in Hollywood are not hurting at all and I can name you several female leading movies that are or have done well in the box office for last 5-10 years.
        The only issue I see for white actresses are ageing but that goes for white women overall in every jobs/careers and frankly is something I really do not give a damn about and is due to western culture and their youth obsession.
        Racism is a cause people will take up, sexism is not? You got to be joking.

  34. Sarah01 says:

    I understood to it to mean that being a woman and a feminist is the hardest in Hollywood. I don’t think she meant it as a put down to POC. It’s another aspect of the biases of Hollywood. She feels her point would have more validity if she were POC and wouldn’t be ridiculed for it as much. I get that. I don’t think she was being racist at all.
    Can I say it’s not a competition of who suffers the most. I want this attacking and offensive conversation to end, I want it to be more of inclusivity and understanding.
    Ideally everyone should have equal access to opportunities and get the same pay.

    • nn says:

      It was ignorant! She completely dismissed black women! Not all women are white!

    • Goldie says:

      Even if you take black women out of the equation (which is totally offensive) I would still disagree with her statement that “There is nothing harder than being a woman in this industry” There’s no doubt that hollywood is sexist, but I would argue that white women still have more opportunities than black men. For instance,I could easily name 10 A-list white actresses. I’d be hard pressed to name 10 A-list black actors.
      That, said it’s not a competition. Both females and minorities face discrimination. We should be supporting each other instead of griping about who has it worse.

    • censored says:

      @Sarah01
      Did you find Delpes comments inclusive and understanding ? I always find it interesting how one can bend over backwards to interpret someones offensive remarks but want to tone police those who respond to said remarks?
      How do women(implied white by Delpe ) have it worse when every year the acadamy can find TEN predominantly white women to nominate for best supporting and lead actresses whilst every 2-3 years or so they can only drum 1 or 2 POC(including black ) men and women nominees much less winners?
      Its either you recognise that we are ALL women or you dont

      • mee says:

        and, there’s an actual category for best supporting and best ACTRESS. of course i’m not saying that there should be an actual best BLACK actor or actress category, but she’s oblivious to the fact that even while there’s discrimination against women, at least (largely white) women are recognized by the academy in a category. her argument that she as a white woman is given less room to complain than an African American may be right in some cases – but she fails to acknowledge the fundamental underlying reason for that. it’s because the amount of discrimination that she faces as a white woman is NOWHERE NEAR the level of discrimination or challenge that an African American faces in Hollywood.

    • TrixC says:

      I understood her to be saying that it’s more politically or socially acceptable to criticise women (of whatever race) for speaking out about discrimination and diversity issues in the industry, when African American people speaking out about the same sorts of issues are less likely to be criticised for their views. I don’t think it was intended to be a point about which group faces greater prejudice or discrimination, as her second comment emphasises, she was just suggesting that people are less concerned about appearing sexist than they are about appearing racist. That fits with my experience as well, although I’m not American. For example I hear casually sexist comments quite often and they often pass without comment or at best are awkwardly shrugged off. Casually racist comments I hear less often, and people are more likely to be called out for them.

    • EM says:

      She is not really in a position to speak about Hollywood. How many non-French films have you seen her in? She is primarily a French actress. She said it, so she can get a few headlines, because her career has been in the doldrums of late.

      • lilacflowers says:

        She has lived in the United States since the early 1990s and became a US citizen in 2001. She has two Oscar nominations as a screenwriter. In the last 20 years, most of her work has been US-based. She really is in a position to speak about Hollywood.

  35. nn says:

    Hey let’s get rid of the best/supporting actress category!
    You’re so great and talented so why not compete against the men!? Having separate categories for men and women is so sexist and outdated, surely we women do not need this affirmative action bullsh-t! We are just as good as the men and I am confident we would win and all would be fair and square!

  36. Saks says:

    Society does condemn injustices in different levels, but I don’t think they are actually comparable because their own structures are different. Sexism, racism, religious hate, homophobia, classism, etc. have different origins and have developed independently. And the people who have it the worst are those who are kept in the “lowest” (in lack of a better word) tiers, by the privileged groups who benefit from it.

    So, the fact that she has suffered from sexism doesn’t make her cause better, than the people who are fighting for ending with racism.

    I do think this futile divisions and playing this “who has it worse” game, are hurting the actual cause of a more diverse and fair industry. The fact that each of us have a focus on a certain aspect shouldn’t exclude our support for the others causes.

    (Having said all of that, although I think she tried to make a point about sexism, her way of expressing was just stupid).

  37. Bridget says:

    Julie Delpy just makes me kind of sad. There’s such a brittle quality about her.

  38. lunchcoma says:

    She should have stuck with the original statement! It was fine! The more she added, the uglier it got. Last time around I actually had a good impression of her for speaking up a bit, but this is just dreadful.

    • nn says:

      Exactly. She had a point about the oscars being a popularity contest and that kiss assing and gift giving was common among voters and nominees, and how ultimately it is all meaningless.

      • mee says:

        yes that’s the main point. And, jada in a way had the right response. it’s just a popularity contest – let’s not get sucked into that game and let’s have pride enough not to be begging for scraps of recognition.

      • mee says:

        yes that’s the main point. And, jada in a way had the right response. it’s just a popularity contest – let’s not get sucked into that game and let’s have pride enough not to be begging for scraps of recognition.

  39. themummy says:

    I think a lot of the people who make comments like these do not truly see the racism in their comments. I think some of their hearts are in the right place, but they do not know how to speak of race and racial issues with tact and compassion. The problem, ultimately, is that racism and issues surrounding race are still here and very problematic and people don’t know how to speak about it constructively, without shoving their feet in their mouths. I wish that instead of apologizing in some half-assed way, that people would admit that they do not know how to converse about race and admit their need for exposure and education. Some of the comments people make are indeed blatantly racist and smack of white privilege, but I do think that a big problem is that people just don’t know how to speak about race. That is a very, very bad thing right now. At the very least, they need to learn that they are somewhat ignorant and either keep their yaps shut or LEARN how to speak in a way that furthers the conversations in a diplomatic, helpful, and compassionate way. It’s crazy how out of touch some of these people are. Admitting ignorance is a great first step. Mealy-mouthed apologies are not. I think Delpy was making a decent point, but she just didn’t know 1: when to shut up and 2: how to speak about what she was trying to speak about.

  40. CK says:

    So this a bit off topic, but has anyone else heard about the Academy’s attempt to load the ceremony with black presenters? It was mentioned during weekend update on SNL. I’m so mixed about it. On one hand, I’m excited for the exposure that they will get. On the other hand, it’s basically analogous to arguing that cocktail waitresses make an all male conference diverse. Actually, that last sentence pretty much swayed me. I watch the ceremonies religiously, but this may be the one year that I skip watching. And as someone who has followed the oscars for 8+ years, including watching most of the precursors before nominations are even announced, reading the trade mags, following multiple expert predictions and watching the fyc campaigns as closely as possible, I know this whole “meritocracy” argument when it comes to who receives a nomination and wins is complete bullsh*t. You would literally have to take away 10-20+ oscars and even more nominations if you wanted to sell that.

    • Bridget says:

      i don’t really agree with your assessment that presenters are the equivalent to waitstaff. It certainly isn’t the same honor as being nominated (and it’s not a replacement) but it is still an honor to be asked, because it’s still huge exposure to the people that participate in the broadcast. Both to the eyes on television, and for the opportunity to be in the room with the people who actively make the decisions in the movie business. The awards circuit is like one huge networking event, with the Oscars being the biggest one.

    • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

      So I agree with both of you but I do think CK has a point though the waitstaff comparison probably wasn’t the most accurate.

      But it’s the idea that these actors aren’t worth nominations or awards but are valuable as seat fillers/token specks of color when the camera pans the crowd that I think is an issue.

      I also felt that way last time. David Oyelowon wasn’t worth nomination but he was worth showing up to the award show and having his name become a punchline by Neal Patrick Harris? Just stuff that bugs me.

  41. msw says:

    What the f. Do these people hear themselves? What am I thinking? Of course they don’t.

  42. A. Key says:

    This has to be the worst cringing Oscar year in a long time. By the time they happen it’ll become embarrassing to win one which is how I know Leo will finally win his – he’ll win the prize no one will want in the end, lololol.

    Well at least it’s all coming out in the open, I guess…

    • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

      Lol, someone made a meme alone of Leo that says:

      “Finally won an Oscar. No one showed up to the award.”

      Some kind of irony.

  43. Mewsie says:

    It’s sad to see that even to such privileged and high-access people, the world still feels like a contest of who has it the worst. The lack in diversity in Hollywood is staggering and the one trope that needs to go away is the older white dude-slash-brooding hero number 234675760345694. I’m bummed that Julie Delpy even thinks these things, and shocked that she feels it’s ok to voice them too. Sad.

  44. Ellie says:

    I’m so tired of all these old white people complaining about things they don’t understand. I’m disgusted that the Academy is so behind the times, but I’m not surprised by it because let’s face it most of the voters are all old white people. I’m disgusted that I’m not surprised. And I’m missing the frivolous fun gossip that’s disappearing to make way for more #OscarsSoWhite coverage that doesn’t really advance the conversation. Is it okay to feel all this at once?

  45. Gina says:

    While her comment was extremely stupid I get what she’s trying to say. Imagine the shitstorm if Leo was black. Because he’s one of the most snubbed actors ever

    • CK says:

      Leo isn’t one of the most snubbed actors ever. He gets nominated for fantastic performances and then beaten by even better ones. His only “snub” could be for Django Unchained, but even then the one that got nominated, Cristoph Waltz, gave a much better performance. Leo is not losing out on nominations or wins because of his race.

      • Gina says:

        I disagree. Leo should have won for “shutter island”. He’s every role is awesome. So Leo was beaten by better actors, but Michael B. Jordan should have been nominated for Stallone movie? ok)

    • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

      I was curious so I googled and let me just say…I couldn’t post all the awards Leo has been nominated for and won because Celebitchy would probably refuse to let the post go through due to size constraints. That man isn’t hurting for nominations or a awards simply because he hasn’t won an Oscars.

      The fact he’s been nominated dozens of times while many other actors are never nominated in spite of storied careers.

    • censored says:

      @ Gina
      I think Leo is a brilliant actor regardless of condemnations about his personal life that are popular here,In fact the treatment of Leo is a big eye opener to me that the Oscars is BS (he is no more a man Wh*re than say Jack Nicholson whom the Academy loves
      But to answer your question NO if Leo was black this would be a non issue as he would not have nabbed all those high quality roles (you need the quality material to deliver an Oscar worthy performance ) plus he wouldn’t have been nominated 5 times so theres that

    • Bridget says:

      Leo lost to actors who gave transcendent performances. Leo… didnt. He bet on big name directors and fancy productions, it doesn’t mean that he deserves it more.

      • censored says:

        @Bridget
        Just because there is a diversity problem in Hollywood means we need to sh1t on peoples performances its not a good look.
        Whats Eating Gilbert Grape had neither a big named director or a fancy production.Leo Lost to Peter OToole who won the ” Career”Oscar because it was “his time” and he was old even O’Toole was surprised that he won

  46. Caz says:

    People need to stop just talking. Actually do something about it.

  47. Dangles says:

    I’m certain change is coming. The faux liberals in the Academy simply can’t afford to have the awards marred by allegations of racism every year. The new left is emerging. 🙂

  48. stinky says:

    Where’s Mo’nique !!!?
    Her silence speaks volumes….
    I’m waitin!

  49. stinky says:

    …and im gonna keep askin’ “Where’s Mo’nique?” on every Oscar thread till Oscar Sunday y’all.

  50. Otaku fairy says:

    She’s wrong. I will say that it seems like men as a group are less likely to get a certain kind of criticism for talking about inequality. Men get praised for their sensitivity, but when woc celebrities and white women celebrities do it, there seems to be more a “rich bitch needs to stop whining and be grateful/she’s so fake/her publicists must have written that/she’s so selfish/there are bigger problems in the world/but I don’t like her/ She Made it About Her” type of derailment. It happened on other sites a lot with Jada Pinkett Smith, but I’ve seen it before with Zendaya, Lorde, Amandla, Ariel Winter, Nicki Minaj, Rowan Blanchard, Beyonce, Jennifer Lawrence, and other celebrities who are women as well. But when it comes to non celebrities she’s doubly wrong. All people get critcism for promoting equality. A person who’s white and or male just doesn’t receive all the racial or gender based attacks. Some people are afraid to use pictures that show them to be nonwhite and/or nonmale to protect themselves from those attacks. And the whole “Poc get no criticism” myth is something you hear from racists and their defenders all the time. I do believe that it’s hard for women in Hollywood to be feminists though.

  51. Kelly says:

    Gorgeous caucasian French woman are the first to fall.

  52. Holmes says:

    Darn. I was hoping that commenter form the Marion Cotillard posts a while ago who was claiming that France is a post-racist, post-sexist utopia would have something to say about this.

  53. Jennycancan says:

    Sometimes escapism can be smart. But
    mostly it’s just more of the same comments over and over. I excuse Delpy for her poorly thought-out rant, I imagine her passion on the subject matter clouded what she meant. Actions speak louder than words and I continue to respect Delpy and the work she has done to date.

    Also- Before Trilogy is amazing. I’m out.