This was interesting:

Oscar Winners Reflect Prevailing Social Conditions
Oscars are often given for sentimental or ideological reasons rather than for technical achievement, especially in the major categories. In recent years, these biases have reflected a "liberal" sentiment and have attempted to redress wrongs that the voting members perceive have been perpetuated by the movie industry.

The political and social upheavals and inherent contradictions of the late 1960's are well represented by the winners of the Best Picture award during that period.

http://www.media-awareness.ca/englis...zing_oscar.cfm

Along came 2 gay cowboys.