The Oscar presentations have historically been an irresistible stage for presenters and winners who have a political point to make. And the 87th Academy Awards was as politically charged as any since 2003. The lead-up to Oscars 2015 included open debate around the scarcity of Selma nominations and whether or not American Sniper is propaganda as art or pure art. One of the most moving was from John Legend, with Common standing at his side, accentuated the color discrepancy in the room while accepting the Oscar for best original song, “Glory” from Selma: Legend said “We are the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men who live under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850.”
