LOS ANGELES — In 2002, Halle Berry made history at the Oscars, becoming the first Black woman to win lead actress, for "Monster's Ball" — an achievement yet to be duplicated. It was the following year's Oscars, though, that jumped to mind Sunday during what's already being called "the slap heard around the world": Lead actor winner Adrien Brody bounded onstage, grabbed Berry — who was presenting the award — and bent her backward, delivering a deep smooch to the stunned actress. The moment bothered many people, including Berry; many argued that Brody had disrespected Berry, if not assaulted her. It was a troubling follow-up to Berry's milestone.
This year's Academy Awards should have been a victorious night for Black artists. There was so much to celebrate: two Black women among the trio of cohosts, a Black producer, numerous Black presenters, a standout opener from Beyoncé. And a key player throughout the season was "King Richard," a film paying tribute to the unlikely genius of Richard Williams as he helped transform his young daughters Venus and Serena into tennis superstars.
Instead of celebration, though, the star-studded audience at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and viewers around the world were left to gasp in shock and horror: One of Hollywood's top entertainers had attacked another top entertainer onstage at the Oscars during the live telecast.
