#OscarsSoWhite: Academy Awards Slammed For Lack Of Diversity

One of the biggest surprises this year came with “Straight Outta Compton”, a film many prognosticators thought would earn a Best Picture nomination, being left out of the top category.

Straight Outta Compton hasn’t been a favorite to snag nominations at this point in the award season, because it hasn’t gone on to receive many nominations in the award shows that have preceded the Oscars. Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said she was “disappointed” by the results as well, and on Saturday Smith also responded on social media. Room and Brooklyn-two movies with leading women-were nominated for Best Picture. “We’re used to the industry, really, you know, looking down on us. We need to bring in new talent, to nourish the talent, to allow it to flourish and to give us all the diversity of storytelling which is what the motion picture business is all about”.

No people of color were nominated in acting categories for a second straight year. Additionally, Netflix’s Nina Simone doc “What Happened, Miss Simone?” was recognized in the Documentary Feature category. Period. The reason the rest of the world looks at us like we have no clue is because in 2016 it’s a complete embarrassment to say that the heights of cinematic achievement have only been reached by white people. “It’s just a frustrating thing that the voting doesn’t reflect what America is saying very loud and clear, what the world is saying very loud and clear”. Despite the buzz, Michael B. Jordan’s name isn’t on the list for Creed. The same goes for Best Adapted Screenplay, save for Ronnie del Carmen who has an original story credit for Pixar’s Inside Out. But Straight Outta Compton, an award-buzzy film with a largely black ensemble cast and an African-American director in F. Gary Gray, was absent.

In a poll carried out by Reuters and Ipsos a year ago, thirty-four per cent of people have said they believe Hollywood has a general problem with minorities.

In a tweet, Homeland’s Harewood said: “As a sign of solidarity with their breathren, I suggest all nominees turn up to the this year’s Oscar ceremony in blackface”.