The Academy Award nominees were announced last Thursday, and for the second year in a row, black actors and actresses—and POC in general—were completely shut out. And while the Martin Luther King drama Selma was nominated for Best Picture last year (and 12 Years a Slave won the year before), this year, not a single film focusing on black characters or stories was nominated for Best Picture. Almost immediately, the Twitter hashtag #OscarsSoWhite began trending and social media lit up with the question, “Is this a two year anomaly? Or are the Oscars racist?”
There are websites like Gold Derby that closely analyze the Oscar race. Among those on Gold Derby’s short list that were not nominated: Idris Elba, who gave a towering performance as a vicious rebel leader in Beasts of No Nation; Will Smith, so understated as Dr. Bennet Omalu in Concussion; rising star Michael B. Jordan, who ignited the screen in Creed; and both Creed and Straight Outta Compton, considered viable Best Picture candidates.
Almost as important: The names and films that weren’t on those short lists: Jason Mitchell, who was an electrifying Eazy E in Straight Outta Compton; Abraham Attah, who was a heartbreaking as a child forced into warfare in Beasts of No Nation; and Mya Taylor, so touching as a trans sex worker in Tangerine. While Oscar clearly needs internal reform, it could also be argued that the conversation about who is a even considered a contender also must be expanded.
Baltimore native Jada Pinkett Smith, who is married to Will Smith (and who herself delivered a hilarious and fierce performance in this year’s Magic Mike XXL), first took to Twitter to express her grievances.
At the Oscars…people of color are always welcomed to give out awards…even entertain, (pt. 1)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 16, 2016
But we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of color refrain from participating all together? (pt 2)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 16, 2016
People can only treat us in the way in which we allow. With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment.
J (pt 3)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 16, 2016
Last night, she put action behind her thoughts, posting a video to her Facebook page called, “We must stand in our power,” where she explained why she would be boycotting this year’s Oscars. (“We no longer need to ask to be invited anywhere,” she noted.) It’s hard to know how far Pinkett Smith’s call to action will extend. Today, director Spike Lee took to Instagram to announce that he also won’t be attending or watching this year’s ceremony.
The Oscars air February 28 on ABC. The host is Chris Rock, who, in his writing, stand-up, and film work, has not shied away from discussing race frankly. Stay tuned…