Many were in tears as they watched a powerful and emotional performance by Lady Gaga during Sunday’s Academy Awards. Gaga sat behind a grand piano and sang, "Til It Happens to You" from the documentary on campus rape, The Hunting Ground, which was nominated for Best Original Song.
Vice President Biden introduced Gaga’s performance with a stirring short speech. And after receiving a standing ovation, the vice president told millions of viewers about our problem with the college campus rape/sexual abuse against your women and men, and he made a request:
“Take the pledge that says, ‘I will intervene in situations where consent cannot or has not been given. Let’s change the culture.’” -Vice President Joe Biden
Both Gaga and songwriter Diane Warren are survivors of sexual assault. Rape statistics are becoming more well-known, and they are staggering. Approximately 22 million American women and girls have been raped/sexually abused, as well as 1.6 million men and boys. Young college age survivors were brought onto the stage as the song ended, many having the message, "Not Your Fault" written on their arms. The message in Gaga’s song was poignant and will most likely bring much-needed awareness. Here is Lady Gaga’s Oscar performance.
(See the original ‘TIl It Happens To You’ official YouTube video below)
The following contains graphic content that may be emotionally unsettling but reflects the reality of what is happening daily on college campuses:
Anyone impacted by sexual assault, whether it happened to you or someone you care about, can find support on the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and online.rainn.org. You can also visit online.rainn.org to receive support via confidential online chat.
This was the first time Lady Gaga has been nominated for an Academy Award. The winner of the best original song was “Writing’s On The Wall” from the movie Spectre. Here is a full list of the night’s big winners.
Best Picture: Spotlight
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Best Acress: Brie Larson, Room
Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Best Directing: Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant
Best Cinematography: The Revenant
Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul (Hungary)
Best Documentary Feature: Amy
Best Animated Feature: Inside Out
Best Original Song: "Writing's on the Wall" from Spectre
Best Original Screenplay: Spotlight
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Big Short
Best Film Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Original Score: The Hateful Eight
Best Sound Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Sound Mixing: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Visual Effects: Ex Machina
Best Costume Design: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Production Design: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Documentary, Short Subject: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Best Short Film (Live Action): Stutterer
Best Short Film (Animated): Bear Story
Special thanks to Daily Kos Contributor ‘Mister Pants.’