clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Oscars 2016: Here's Kevin Hart's inspiring speech about diversity

Alex Abad-Santos is a senior correspondent who explains what society obsesses over, from Marvel and movies to fitness and skin care. He came to Vox in 2014. Prior to that, he worked at the Atlantic.

We're used to hearing Kevin Hart say silly, hilarious stuff that sometimes warrants a bleep. But at the Oscars on Sunday, Hart showed his rarely seen serious side and addressed the blazing lack of diversity in this year's acting categories.

"I want to take a moment to applaud all of my actors and actresses of color tonight," Hart said. "Tonight should not determine the hard work and effort you put into your craft. … These problems of today eventually become problems of the old. Let's not let this issue of diversity beat us."

Hart emphasized that positivity beats negativity and that hard work will help Hollywood overcome its hurdles. But in a weird turn and strange finish to his inspiring words, Hart was bleeped out before he got to finish the speech. (It appears he may have said "goddamn," which wouldn't be allowed on television.) With or without the bleep, it was one of the more inspiring moments of the night.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for Vox Recommends

Get curated picks of the best Vox journalism to read, watch, and listen to every week, from our editors.