This is a reminder that Black Women are allowed to feel emotions, whether you are comfortable with it or not.

Angela Bassett has been nominated only TWICE for the Academy Awards. TWICE. Once in 1994 and again in 2023. With a career as prolific and impactful as hers, one would think that not only would she have been nominated more, but received more. Yet, in her 38-year career, with roles in films such as Malcolm X, What’s Love Got To Do With It, and her latest powerful role in Wakanda Forever, she has not received a single Oscar. Not one.

Yet, people have the audacity to be upset at her for not clapping for the recipient of that award? Worse, people were DEMANDING that she continue to perform, despite her disappointment.

She, at 64 years old, didn’t feel like clapping for whatever reason, and that is her business. Rather than empathizing with her, too many people immediately took to social media and criticized her for expressing a natural feeling of disappointment for not winning.

Note: Angela Bassett didn’t storm out of the room, she didn’t throw anything, she didn’t boo, and she didn't walk up on the stage and demand a recount.

She simply sat there. Too many people took that personally. One user created an entire thread of bad takes on Angela Bassett’s sitting still.

What is more frustrating; having an acting career such as Angela Bassett’s, and not receiving your just due from a supposed impartial Academy, or when you express the slightest hint of disappointment, after such an amazing career still not receiving your just due, being policed by folks who will never be in the Academy?

Of course, people came to her defense as well.

When we have to have these discussions policing the reactions and emotions of Black people, especially how we may or may not express our disappointment, it does a few things: These discussions take the focus off the humanity of people, in this case, Angela Bassett who has every right to be disappointed, and polices their right to their own emotions.

These discussions also center on how Black people are perceived by the White gaze. Notice who the majority of the criticism comes from as opposed to the majority of the support. One woman literally demanded Angela Bassett continue to “perform” despite her disappointment. This rhetoric reduces the humanity of Black people in order that they comply.

Angela Bassett is allowed to feel whatever she feels without explanation. It is natural and quintessentially human to feel disappointment after a loss. Demanding that she continue to act through that intense disappointment, at its core, is an attack on her humanity. She does not owe anyone pleasantries and the few seconds that capture the initial moments of her shock and disappointment don’t do anything to her stellar reputation as an actress or as a person. She is more than allowed to feel what she feels and anyone who demands her to do otherwise really needs to check their own humanity.