(CNN)Between light-hearted moments like Benedict Cumberbatch taking a swig from a hip flask and Neil Patrick Harris parading on stage in his underwear, it was all about activism and controversial topics at the 87th Academy Awards. A broad range of issues, from immigration to suicide to Alzheimer's disease to wage inequality, took center stage. Sean Penn rubbed many the wrong way when he joked "Who gave this son of a bitch his green card?" as he presented Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu the best picture award for "Birdman." Iñarritu seemed unperturbed and devoted the Oscar win to his fellow Mexicans, saying, "I just pray they can be treated with the same dignity and respect of the ones that came before and built this incredible, immigrant nation."
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Sean Penn's immigration comment at the Oscars causes some to cry "inappropriate!"
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Patricia Arquette took on wage inequality, to the appreciation of Meryl Streep
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Screenplay winner Graham Moore gave an emotional speech about growing up "weird"
In the press room, @placeholder said of Penn's joke, "I found it hilarious.