The pre-Academy Awards post.

1. Mary McNamara, in the LOS ANGELES TIMES, refers to Chris Rock as a cultural arbiter expected to explain #OscarsSoWhite to the national and international viewing audience tonight.  And, apparently, explain it just enough and make enough pointed jokes to make viewers welcome the "carry on as usual" traditional ceremony without having troubling subtextual thoughts.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-critics-notebook-oscars-20160225-column.html

2. Margaret Avery (nominated as a Supporting Actress for playing a lesbian in Steven Spielberg's blanded-out THE COLOR PURPLE, a 1985 release), was interviewed in today's Calendar section of the LA TIMES.  I'm old enough to remember Ms. Avery paying for her own campaign ads and being mocked for their content.
www.altfg.com/film/margaret-avery-dear-god-the-color-purple-22987