Why does the lack of diversity at this year’s Oscars matter? Is it because The Oscars are held in such high regard? Is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are saying that not one actor of color did a capable job to grab a nomination? Were films with minorities not out in the cinema-sphere?
They were. I saw them. I enjoyed them and as a woman of color, I agree with what Jane The Virgin star Gina Rodriguez said as she won her Golden Globe “This represents a culture that wants to be seen as heroes”
So, to the folks that have said, “Well, if you make a good enough movie or you’re good enough in the movie you’ll get a nomination,” I give you this list of ten award worthy performances by people who are not white.
1. Michael Pena – Fury, Cesar Chavez
2. America Ferrerra – Cesar Chavez
3. Tyler Perry – Gone Girl
4. Chris Rock – Top Five
5. David Oyelowo – Selma
6. Ava Devernay – Selma (Direction)
7. Adrianna Barraza – Cake
8. Tessa Thompson – Dear White People
9. Chadwick Boseman – Get On Up
10. Carmen Ejogo – Selma
These performances were up to par, if not better, than many of those nominated. The problem lies with the entertainment business as a whole. The desire to attract the 18-35 male demographic is still a thing rather than recognizing that there are people who are older and of a different race and gender. The Oscars Nominations just remind us that our stories aren’t being told as often as they should be and when they are, they seem to slip through the cracks.
Viola Davis said, this past weekend at The SAG Awards during her acceptance speech, “When I tell my daughter stories at night, inevitably a few things happen. Number one, I use my imagination. I always start with life and then I build from there. And the other thing that happens is she always says, ‘Mommy, can you put me in the story'” She also thanked Shonda Rimes for “…thinking that a sexualized, messy, mysterious woman could be a 49-year-old dark skinned African-American woman who looks like me…”
Now, following the Oscar Nomination media storm about this subject, I hope to see more change. That these movies and television shows will begin to get the recognition they deserve and more stories starring people of color will be told. It’s time.
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