Should Casey Affleck get an Oscar nod despite sexual assault allegations? | The Tylt
Casey Affleck has received near universal acclaim for his performance in "Manchester by the Sea." He's the current frontrunner for what many critics predict will be an Academy Award nomination (and win) for Best Actor. But Affleck has also been accused of sexually assaulting two women on the set of "I'm Still Here." Some supporters believe art should be separate from the artist. Others argue Affleck shouldn't have the privilege of zero accountability for his actions. What do you think?

Affleck won the Golden Globe for Best Actor - Drama. He's won several critic awards, and is nominated for a SAG award. But many sexual assault advocates are protesting Affleck this awards season. Others believe it's too late. He's a frontrunner to win Oscar gold—even though nominations haven't been announced yet. But many critics argue he's just another white man not being held accountable for his actions of the past.
More writers and sexual assault advocates are talking about Affleck's sexual assault allegations, and the gender and race politics behind Affleck's privilege. He's soaring high during the awards season, while many think Affleck shouldn't be praised for his work following the allegations.
The Hollywood Foreign Press awarded Affleck as the Best Actor in the Drama category despite the allegations. And that's pretty much how it's been all of this awards season. Affleck continues to be praised for his performance. So, is Hollywood separating the art from the man?
Congratulations to Casey Affleck - Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Manchester By the Sea (@MBTSMovie) - #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/q9WSOKcl39
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 9, 2017
Here are Affleck's thoughts on his Golden Globe win. His performance is one of the most acclaimed of 2016. But some are still hoping that Hollywood refuses to honor his work.
Casey Affleck shares how he feels after that #GoldenGlobes win for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama! pic.twitter.com/zoHg3eO2Du
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 9, 2017
Feminist writer Roxane Gay broke it down. Affleck doesn't have to answer for his actions, and his career has been left untouched. He has the privilege of having power in Hollywood.
Welp. Violating women never gets in the way of a white man's career
— roxane gay (@rgay) January 9, 2017
His brother is Ben Affleck, A-list actor and director. And he has a friend in Matt Damon—another powerful A-lister. Plus, many argue white men in Hollywood (or in society, really) generally don't have to answer for their actions.
Acclaimed filmmaker Woody Allen married his adoptive daughter. Another highly-praised filmmaker Roman Polanski sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 1977. Both filmmakers have won Oscars, and both continue to win acclaim and accolades despite these controversies.
There is plenty out there about Affleck. People ignore it because they choose to.
— roxane gay (@rgay) January 9, 2017
But Nate Parker's career is pretty much over after news surface that he was acquitted of rape charges in 1999. Parker received praise for his acting and directing "The Birth of a Nation." And although Parker got similar buzz to Affleck early at Sundance last year, Affleck's career is on the upswing despite facing sexual assault accusations.
BuzzFeed wrote in great detail the differences (and similarities) between Parker and Affleck.
@rgay The industry ignores Casey Affleck but ended Nate Parker's career
— Stine (@Bahstine) January 9, 2017
And although "The Birth of a Nation" has tanked, plenty of Parker's supporters argued art should be separated from the artist. And that seems to be more true for Affleck—as his performance in "Manchester by the Sea" has moved Hollywood and fans alike.
His performance in Manchester by the Sea, and Lonergan's movie and oeuvre more generally, moved me to my core.
— Genevieve Angelson (@GenevieveAngel) December 28, 2016