I watched Oprah walk on stage last night and introduce the winner.
The winner that I think we will see this spring.
African-American.
Powerful.
Charismatic.
Inspirational.
I was blown away by the passion and eloquence.
The speaking of Truth To Power.
Yes... I believe that the movie she introduced at its Hollywood premiere last night -- "The Great Debaters" -- should be the winner for Best Picture at The Academy Awards in February.
The film stars -- and is directed and co-produced by -- Denzel Washington. And features Forest Whitaker and a cast of engaging newcomers.
The film shows the nightmare that the late Strom Thurmond, Trent Lott and countless old-time conservatives have always dreaded. The grace and eloquence of African-Americans at their finest.
The film is a masterpiece.
It shines a light on the racial prejudice that has riven this nation since its founding -- and that still exists unspoken in the hearts of far too many citizens. The film illustrates how the power of speech is the weapon that can eventually conquer all.
And it conveys its important message in a throughly entertaining story that beguiles and engages the audience.
In her introduction, Oprah -- who produced this film through her company Harpo Productions -- talked about the ten-year struggle to bring this film to the big screen.
That's a long campaign... And it was a noble undertaking.
At its essence, this film expresses the mighty roar of the ocean that is still needed to enable this nation to fulfill its deepest promise.
And in its magnificent expression of that noble aspiration, in my opinion, this film deserves the supreme accolade of the Academy Award.
"Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its many waters." - Frederick Douglass