“i want to be one of the greats”

navigating humility and perception in pursuit of greatness

I’ve never been a fan of award shows. I would never stay up late to watch the Oscars or the Grammys. I don’t care about who won or lost unless I feel like there’s a BIG upset.

Unless there’s someone that I have a personal connection with getting nominated for a MOBO or Brit Award, I wait until the morning to see the announcements. I’m not watching the whole show or staying up all night to watch the speeches.

Ah, the speeches. The same formulaic outbursts and steps for every single winner:

1. Thank God (optional for some)

2. Say how much of a shock it is to win (but pull out a pre-prepared speech from their suit jacket)

3. Pay homage to your fellow nominees (those pathetic losers who couldn’t compete with you)

4. Thank the cast, crew, agents and manager (but struggle to remember their names)

5. Say how special it was to work on this film and what it means for so many people (yeah buddy, I’m sure Zombies vs Aliens 4 really shifted the culture…)

6. Raise awareness of a social issue (advocating for climate change when you’re about to go home on a private jet – rich)

7. Give a sad sob story and an emotional life lesson at the end.

So, typically, it goes something like this:

“Firstly, I want to thank God. I wasn’t expecting this, especially with the talent in this category; Daniel, I loved your work in ‘The Mysterious Life of Richard Holloway’. I want to thank my manager, Lisa; my agent, Sonia; Piers, the Director; Sophie, Craig, Eva, and Carmichael; and all the cast and crew. There are too many names to remember. This movie meant a lot to people, and I’m glad we could do it justice and bring attention to such a great cause. I’m just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit. But I took the midnight train going anywhere, so remember, if I can do it, so can you! Thank you!”

But some winners don’t always stick to the script. I’m sure you’ve seen by now Timothée Chalamet's SAG award speech on Sunday 23rd February. The young actor won the award for Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, beating out the expected winner, Adrien Brody, for his performance in The Brutalist.

In what has later been deemed to be a very unconventional and unorthodox acceptance speech, Timothée stated that he is “in pursuit of greatness” and wants to be “one of the greats”. Statements like this contrast the usual bland and beige spiel from award winners. Cue social media outrage.

But this rebellion to the cultural norm has given me much to think about over the last week.

Mediocracy is seen as socially acceptable. How many times have you told someone a dream of yours? Poured out your heart to them over your deepest goals and ambitions? How did they take it? Did they question it? Did they tell you to be realistic? Did they give you the enthusiasm you expected?

We’re raising a generation of people who are so unsure of their talent, ability, and their potential that not only do they not vocalise the heights that they wish to achieve, but they also don’t even bother aiming for it. Maybe that’s what it feels like to share your goals in a bitter and belligerent society that sees confidence as non-conformity.

What others see as arrogance, I see as self-assurance

I believe everyone should strive for something. They should want to go bigger and do better than what they know and what they are comfortable with. I would even go as far as saying that wanting more isn’t being prideful or narcissistic. It’s beautiful.

I’m Ghanaian, so we’re conditioned to say please after every sentence. I’m also Christian, and we’re meant to be meek and gentle and all the fruits of the Spirit, etc etc. We’re supposed to, as Kendrick said, “sit down, be humble”. Conviction is a curse, pride comes before the fall, forced false humility, and don’t you dare go around puffing up your chest.

@movie.review_man.man.manEveryone should strive for something. #movies #films #filmtok #movietok #timotheechalamet #timotheechalametsag #greenscreenvideo #greenscreen

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I think we all need more confidence and boldness to rightfully claim the future we want to walk into. Is it egotistical to dream? Or should everyone shrink themselves down to make others feel comfortable?

Maybe that’s just how I think, but I find nothing wrong with what Timothée said. I, too, want to be one of the greats. Do I think I will be? Why not? Why should I count myself out when the race has barely even started?

There’s another conversation to be had about whether he should have kept those thoughts of greatness to himself instead of sharing them on stage, but all in all, I think we need to let those who want to be great be great. Let those who want to be average talk rubbish on social media.

As I Grow Older, I've realised that if being average means appeasing everyone, I would rather strive for greatness.

Boldly.

I mourn all those who have spent their 20s shying away from the greatness they wanted to achieve. I hope one day they can resurrect the dreams that society forced them to stifle and the courage that they weren’t allowed to put on display.

Love, Peace and Blessings

Abs