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The list of nominees for the Academy Awards was released. And, just like last year, every acting nominee is white. Not a single minority was nominated in any of the four acting categories. Meaning, the last 40 Oscar acting nominees have been white. This has prompted the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite to resurface online.
Less minorities than last year
The hashtag was created last year by editor April Reign. When she saw the nominees, she tweeted:
“It’s actually worse than last year. Best Documentary and Best Original Screenplay. That’s it. #OscarsSoWhite.”
Many were expecting Idris Elba to be nominated for his role in Beasts of No Nation or Will Smith to be recognized for his work in Concussion. But neither made the cut. Michael B. Jordan was the lead in actor in Creed; yet, while Stallone was nominated, Jordan was not. Jason Mitchell in Straight Outta Compton was also passed over. Beasts of No Nation, Concussion, and Straight Outta Compton all did well at the box office and received good reviews. Evidently, that was not enough.
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The Academy is accused of being out of touch
The majority of voters in the Academy are white males, and the average is 63 years old. Some people believe that this is the source of the problem. Even the president of the Academy, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, expressed some disappointment in the choices. She admitted that the Academy needs to speed up efforts to increase diversity.
“Of course I am disappointed, but this is not to take away from the greatness [of the films nominated],” she said. She also claimed that “The Academy has no power over Hollywood. We have nothing to do with hiring. […] What we can do, however, is to get them to widen their normal stream of thought.”
In 2014, minorities made up 46% of U.S. moviegoers. However, in the top 100-grossing movies of 2014, about 75% of the characters were white. This graphic fully details the lack of diversity in nominees and voters.
Nominees for best actor
Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant
Matt Damon – The Martian
Bryan Cranston – Trumbo
Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl
Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs
Nominees for best actress
Saoirse Ronan – Brooklyn
Cate Blanchett – Carol
Jennifer Lawrence – Joy
Charlotte Rampling – 45 Years
Nominees for best supporting actor
Sylvester Stallone – Creed
Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies
Christian Bale – The Big Short
Tom Hardy – Revenant
Mark Ruffalo – Spotlight
Nominees for best-supporting actress
Alicia Vikander – The Danish Girl
Rooney Mara – Carol
Jennifer Jason Leigh – The Hateful Eight
Kate Winslet – Steve Jobs
Rachel McAdams – Spotlight
SEE ALSO: 13 Movie Stars Who Played Famous Roles For A Very Low Pay.
