People will inevitably complain about the political grandstanding at the Oscars. However, this time it seems not just unavoidable, but necessary. The world is facing down a threat to smother an independent nation, as well as the whole notion of free expression. If you’re in the business of creating art of any kind, you have to be willing to stand up for that right. And artists certainly have, at least in recent years. AIDS policy, prisoners at the Guantanamo camp, unequal pay between men and women, and the long suppression of Black Americans have all inspired comments from the Oscar stage.