‘I Did Not Do This Totally for Marlon … I Did This for Native People Everywhere’ (EXCLUSIVE) – Old western – My Blog
Sacheen Littlefeather made Oscars history in 1973 when she became the first Native woman to stand on stage at the awards ceremony. When Marlon Brando was named best actor for “The Godfather,” Littlefeather declined the prize on behalf of him, as he had boycotted the Oscars in protest of Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans. Met with both boos and cheers, she was escorted off the stage.But her 60-second Oscar speech was life-changing for her, as well as others. “He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award,” Littlefeather said to an audience of millions in her 1973 speech. “And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry… and on television in movie re-runs, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.”
In an interview with Variety, Littlefeather reflects on that Oscar night, and says she would do it all again “in a heartbeat.” She made the speech, she says, not just for Brando — who was a known Native American ally — but for her people and the racial injustices they had suffered. She also discusses her assertion that she heard that John Wayne attempted to rush the stage before being intercepted by security, and her friendship with Brando.Thinking back to that night, when you were on stage making this powerful and historic speech, how did you feel immediately afterward?I had watched [the Oscars] like everybody else, on TV, but that was the first time at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. It was my first time at the Academy Awards. I made it through my first hurdle, promising Marlon Brando that I would not touch that Oscar. But, as I walked off that stage, I did in the ways of courage, honor grace, dignity and truthfulness. I did so in the ways of my ancestors and the ways of Indigenous women.I was met with the stereotypical tomahawk chop, individuals who called at me, and I ignored all of them. I continued to walk straight ahead with a couple of armed guards beside me, and I held my head high and was proud to be the first Indigenous woman in the history of the Academy Awards to make that political statement.At that time in 1973, there was a media blackout on Wounded Knee and against the American Indian Movement that was occupying it. Marlon had called them in advance and asked them to watch the Academy Awards, which they did. As they saw me, up on stage, refusing that Academy Award for the stereotypes within the film industry, and mentioning Wounded Knee in South Dakota, it would break the media boycott.Everyone wants to know the true story of what was happening there, but it foiled the plans of the FBI. Sometimes, when you don’t like the message, as they say in Rome, you try to kill the messenger. The FBI had plans to take all those AIM-sters [American Indian Movement members] like Dennis Banks and my brothers Russell Means and Oren Lyons to a place like Guantanamo Bay. They would never be heard from again, but that did not happen because of my speech.There were further talks, Oren told me, that the United States government was planning on building some sort of military base there on the reservation and that the speech also foiled the plans. There was a lot of interruption of plans that did not take place as a result of that speech.In the documentary “Sacheen Breaking the Silence,” you talk about people trying to get on stage and you mention the often-repeated story about John Wayne being restrained. What do you remember about that moment?I heard a disturbance from behind me as I was speaking up at the podium. I found out that he had been restrained by six security men from assaulting me while I was on that stage. That was the most violent moment that had ever taken place at the Academy Awards.So, you heard about it from a security guard?Yes, but it was never publicized. He was never admonished by the Academy. It was never published in the press. But the most violent moments took place then and there at the Academy Awards by John Wayne.Way back then, when I did that, I was boycotted by the FBI. They went around Hollywood and told people not to hire me. If they did, they would shut their film production down. In addition, other people were let on talk shows like Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, and other popular talk shows. They could go on there and talk about me, but I was never allowed to go on them and represent myself.Furthermore, that 60-second piece of film was kept under wraps for a long time and not shown to the general public. It wasn’t readily available. Two generations later, it became available to the public. People started asking questions. What was that all about? Who is that woman? And people asked, “Why is she doing that?” That is how it came to the surface once again.And when the [Academy] Museum included Native American Indian people on its board of directors, things started moving forward. I’m here to see a letter, 50 years later, this apology — it was something I never expected and came as a total surprise to me.Marlon Brando was a known ally to the Native American and Indigenous community. What does allyship look like to you?My friendship with Marlon Brando was based on mutual interest. I did not know Marlon Brando as an actor. It was focused on Native American Indigenous issues. I was not one of his love interests, far from it. I enjoyed talking with him. We enjoyed laughing together. Sometimes we used to sit together, talk and just laugh our asses off. He’s also a great prankster. Besides that, he had a kinship with Native American Indian people that goes way back. I appreciated his friendship and his ability to see through the baloney and the prejudice. He understood racial prejudice in a way that most people do not, and that was refreshing to me.Knowing everything you know now, if you had to do it all over again, would you still take to the stage and accept Marlon Brando’s Oscar?In a heartbeat. I did not do this totally for Marlon. I did not do this on my behalf. I did this for all Native people everywhere who suffered from racial prejudice and discrimination. I did it for all of those who were born under the umbrella of genocide, in the United States, and Canada, and for all of us who have suffered through extreme stereotypes which were not of our choosing.Should Hollywood use platforms such as the Academy Awards to make more political statements?I can’t speak for other people, but people have to look into their hearts. They have to see what’s appropriate for them, what they say and what they do. It’s not for me to judge, so I can’t make a statement on their behalf. All I know is that… I don’t hold anger, hate or have any animosity toward anyone, including the Academy and the John Waynes of the world. I’m not a wealthy person. I’m a poor person. I don’t have much, but I do what I can. I try not to judge others. So, what other people want to do and what they feel in their hearts, they have to do.
Mel Gibson slammed for sharing ‘insane’ conspiracy theory about LA fires after his mansion burns down
Mel Gibson has been met with backlash from social media users after discussing a conspiracy theory on live TV regarding the Los Angeles wildfires.
The 69-year-old actor revealed over the weekend that he had lost his Malibu home in the blaze after it succumbed to the flames while he was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Speaking on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation, Gibson revealed he was in Austin, Texas, when he found out that his multi-million dollar mansion was “completely toasted” ,describing the loss as both “devastating” and “emotional”.
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” Gibson said. “It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years, so it was home to me.”
Now, Gibson has appeared on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle to speak about a conspiracy theory that even he admitted was “insane”.
He told the host: “I know they were messing with the water, letting reserves go for one reason or another. They’ve been doing that a while. California has a lot of problems that sort of baffle the mind as far as why they do things.”
Gibson then asked the questions, “Is it on purpose?” and “Do they want the state empty?”
The actor then admitted he was guilty of concocting “horrible theories” about the fires in his mind, adding: “I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water.”
“And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires,” Gibson continued. “And are they commissioned to do so or acting on their own volition? I don’t know. But they seem pretty well equipped these people that they are catching.”
During their discussion, Ingraham said: “Well, now there’s already talk. And we played a couple of soundbites. Of re-imagining the way rebuilding occurs.
“And obviously there’s a great need for high-density housing in California and across the country. That’s a big push by the climate folks. And you’re already hearing rumblings of that. In this case, like goodbye single-family homes. Hello high-density housing!”
In response to the segment, viewers took to X to bash the actor’s baseless claims.
“Conspiracy theories are his last claims to fame,” one person wrote, with another adding: “The has been is now an expert on water reserves.”
A third tweeted: “I will never watch another movie with him in it.”
“Mel needs a rest,” one viewer responded, with another simply writing: “Shameful.”
The fires remain one of the most destructive and costly disasters in US history.
At least 16 people have lost their lives — 11 in the Eaton Fire and five in the Palisades Fire. Thirteen others remain missing, as of this writing.
As firefighters continue to contain the blazes, officials have issued critical health and safety warnings to the public:
Water Safety: Residents in and around Pacific Palisades have been advised not to drink tap water due to potential contamination from the fires. Bottled water is being distributed at Westwood Recreation Centre and Brentwood Country Club.
Air Quality: The LA County Public Health Department has urged residents to avoid using power blowers like leaf blowers to limit exposure to ash, smoke, and particulate matter worsened by the fires and windstorm conditions.
Ocean Waters: Authorities have also warned against swimming, surfing, or playing in ocean waters between Surfrider Beach and Dockweiler State Beach, covering a 20-mile stretch. “People entering these waters could become ill,” the department stated.
Meanwhile, early estimates suggest that recovery efforts in the Los Angeles area could cost upwards of $150 billion, per AccuWeather.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody impacted by this unfolding tragedy.
How people view beauty in American and the world at large
The standard of beauty is changing, driven by social media, where women can proudly display their natural beauty in all shapes and sizes. A recent study in the *International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education* confirms this shift, showing that the average American woman now wears between a size 16 and 18, rather than the size 14 of previous years.
The study, which analyzed data from over 5,500 U.S. women, found that the average waist size has increased from 34.9 inches to 37.5 inches over the last two decades. Susan Dunn, a lead expert on the study, believes this information is crucial: “Just knowing where the average is can help a lot of women with their self-image.”
Dunn, along with co-author Deborah Christel, calls on the fashion industry to adapt to these changes. “These women aren’t going away, they aren’t going to disappear, and they deserve to have clothing,” Dunn emphasizes.
The message is clear: it’s time for clothing designers to update their sizing standards to reflect the reality of the modern American woman, embracing her true shape and size.
She hasn’t cut her hairs for 20years, even though her husband begged her to. Then, one day, she finally gave up and cut her hair! Better sit down before you see what this woman looks like today
Whether it’s the boring hairstyle we’ve had for years or the clothes we got tired of, a little change always makes us feel better.
Rosa Ramirez, an American woman, saw that it was time for a change after 25 years of not getting her hair cut.
Because her hair was so long, she sometimes walked on it.
Over the years, her husband had tried to get her to change her hairstyle, but she was always proud of her 1.5-meter-long hair.
She finally had enough and went to the hairdresser with some friends after 25 years of hard work. She had her hair cut to her shoulders.
The owner of the hair salon, Eda Motchka, told WXYZ-TV Detroit, “We love seeing different things done on customers, different styles. We meet a lot, and I always see her the same way.”
But she did what she did for a reason. Locks of Love is a nonprofit that makes wigs for kids whose hair has been lost to cancer. Rosa sent 4 feet of her hair to them.
Ramirez said, “I think it would make someone’s day who is sick a little better.”
Rosa’s change over time is very interesting to watch. Watch how it works in the video below.