Last night's Golden Globes ceremony included the usual reams of thank you's to casts and crews and lawyers and spouses and moms and kids and agents and Helen Mirren. The most moving speech by far was from the sincerely enthused America Ferrera of Ugly Betty, who thanked the girls who tell her she makes them feel worthy and beautiful. But I was interested to note that only three people thanked God, and they were all African-American: Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, and Forest Whitaker were the only ones to make room for a higher power in their speeches.I haven't had a God-o-meter tuned in during past years, but now I wish I had. Was this year any different? Has God fallen out of favor with white Hollywood? Was God ever in favor with white Hollywood? What is it about African-American culture that makes it more acceptable to nod to God in a seamless and sanctioned way? And what makes it kind of uncool for white folks to do the same?
Are the latter actually less religious, or is it that they feel a certain stigma about acknowledging their religion in public? Or is it because when you're a minority who's made it Hollywood you know it must have something to do with more than will, talent, and luck--and even good agents and lawyers and casts and crews?
I have way more questions than answers on this. All of which were temporarily suspended when Sacha Baron Cohen gave his acceptance speech. That thud you heard around 10 or so? Jaws across the nation hitting the floor. More on that here. And the entire list of winners is here.
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I'm sure there are variances depending on the individual, but in my experience as a Christian I've definitely both felt and noticed what you aptly called "a certain stigma about acknowledging their religion in public." Of course there are many white people of various faiths who feel no stigma at all, and I can't speak for people of any race in Hollywood. I have also noticed that this stigma appears to be much less common for black Christians I know and who are in the public eye. The 'Bible Experience' project comes to mind -- in which many well-known black actors contributed to a new audio Bible. The actors have done a lot of "secular" work -- Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington, and many others. I can't think of any similar project featuring white actors whose work is primarily in mainstream/secular (not "Christian") entertainment.
As a black person I believe that the black people gave thanks to God because they were acknowledging where they came from as a people to arrive at that moment. It's not just about what God has done for them during their career but what God has done for us since the days of slavery. He brought us through and always blessed us despite our trials and tribulations. There were always people that went before us to blaze the trails by the grace of God. In an actor's case they can thank people like Hattie McDaniels and Sidney Poitier who God blessed with amazing talent. God is the giver of every talent we as a people possess but people fail to remember that preferring to take credit for it themselves. I've always been taught to remember from whence my help comes and I know it is from God so before I even part my lips to thank my mother I would thank the God who gave me the mother who encouraged me to pursue said career where I met the manager, publicist, agent, movie producers, writers, etc. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto you." That is all Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Forest Whitaker were doing. Giving thanks the God who went before them.
Black people generally seem to be more religious, probably in part because they (unfortunately) still tend to be poorer than white people on average, which tends to lead to greater religious faith. Considering that many African-American celebrities came from lower-class backgrounds themselves, it kind of makes sense. Besides, all the white actors are Scientologists, and thanking L. Ron Hubbard doesn't sound as good. :-) God bless.
Amen to anonymous. We as a people are just more spiritual.
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