Webby Awards

The Webby Awards took place last night and thanks to my good friend Rick, who was involved somehow in the production, I got to go. For those of you who don't know, the Webbys are considered to be the Oscars of Internet awards. I went with Rick six years ago, but this time around it was ten times more big money and fancy. I don't often go to chi-chi events in Manhattan and I'd like to say it's because I find them boring and ridiculous (which they always are), but the truth is that I'm rarely invited to them.

What fascinates me always when I go to these events is how white they are and the Webby Awards was no exception. New York prides itself on its diversity, but damn, looking around that room last night I felt like I had stepped out of my beautiful mosaic and into a show honoring the residents of Salt Lake City. Many awards were given out last night and I swear to you that while there were many people of color serving food and drinks, I don't recall one single one accepting an award. How can that even fucking be?

It's funny, I'll bet you that if you took a poll, 99.9 percent of the people in that room would tell you that they believe in the importance of diversity. What my people don't understand, however, is that belief aint enough. There are of course hugely talented folks who will always easily knock the door down, but the better thing would be if we not only opened the door, but extended an invitation. People of color will always find a way, but in 2007 at an award ceremony where the host bragged about how many attendees were international, they shouldn't be having to scrape and claw their way in.

I mean really, if Donna Summer can let Napolean Dynomite's father dance behind her, can my people not show even a sliver of her generosity??