Outrage as black actors absent from Oscars lineup

“There was more diversity in the 1936 Berlin Olympics”, tweeted one user, named Richard Hine, alongside a picture of African-American athletes at the games.

For the second year in a row, the same can be said about this year’s nominations.

Seattle native Leigh Savidge is among several writers credited with writing “Straight Outta Compton”, which was nominated for best original screenplay.

Despite being considered a shoo-in by prognosticators, the film was snubbed for Best Picture (even though the Academy only nominated 8 out of a possible 10 films), and the acclaimed work of director F. Gary Gray and star O’Shea Jackson, Jr. was overlooked by voters.

Stallone in the movie reprises his iconic role of boxer Rocky Balboa, for which he was nominated but failed to win an Oscar when the original Rocky came out in 1976. Nothing for “Creed” director Ryan Coogler, either.

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has also announced a new initiative called A2020 to further diversify the Academy itself and also encourage the industry to open up more opportunities for women and minorities.

With Idris Elba, Will Smith and Michael B Jordan failing to get any recognition in the coveted acting categories at the 88th Oscars, the Academy is again facing controversy for ignoring black talent.

Soon after its August release, “Straight Outta Compton” became the highest grossing music biopic of all-time and one of the highest domestic grossing films from a black director in the U.S.