All white Oscars? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't seen a lot of movies this year, but from what I've heard, performances by people of color in "Straight out of Compton" and "Creed"(for example) were just as award-worthy as some of the nominees, and people are surprised that they've been shut out.

I'm a theatre professional, and this conversation has been going strong in our community over the last year or so. Casting doesn't have to be "color-blind," but if ethnicity isn't important for a character, there's no need to default to a white actor.

I've been watching Mozart in the Jungle this week and there is one character of color (so far)- the Maestro. I don't see a particular need for an entirely white cast for the portrayal of musicians in New York City.

There is also the Asian assistant.

[Anonymous]

Will Smith is not Oscar worthy.

[Anonymous]

I do not understand the popularity of award shows. It really is a popularity contest. Most actors are terrible. Movie plots have been boring and unoriginal for years. I saw the movie Carol and thought it was boring and unoriginal. I have no idea why it was nominated! Award show are lame!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does make one wonder about liberal Hollywood who champion minorities except when it comes to who is eligible for award ceremonies.

The first mistake is assuming Hollywood is liberal. Not.At.All.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand the popularity of award shows. It really is a popularity contest. Most actors are terrible. Movie plots have been boring and unoriginal for years. I saw the movie Carol and thought it was boring and unoriginal. I have no idea why it was nominated! Award show are lame!!

It's not the show it's the awards/nominations and what it affords the actor in their career...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is a criticism of the Oscars and has been for some time. I see that it is again this year. I stopped watching the awards show years ago for various reasons. And, I'm unlikely to watch this year, either. But, I get that it's a big honor for actors.

I've not seen that many movies this past year so am genuinely wondering if the complaint is more general or is there some specific actor(s)/actress(es) that have been overlooked this year? Is it right to expect a non-white nominee regardless of the caliber of the performance? Is that the complaint here? Or is there someone or some people who have been genuinely overlooked this year?

I realize that someone will find something wrong with what I've asked and that's fine. But, I'm just wondering what people think (after just reading that Jada Pinkett Smith is boycotting the event).

I haven't read the other responses and I'm not sure if boycotting the event is warranted. But, there were specific movies and performances this year that could or should have been recognized, notably Straight Outta Compton (deserving of a Best Picture nominee as well as an acting nomination for Jason Mitchell at least) and Creed (deserving of a best actor nomination for Michael B. Jordan and a best supporting actress nomination for Tessa Thompson). I believe that if Michael B. Jordan were white he would be a double Oscar nominee by now. The Oscars would be so much more interesting if they were interested in different types of actors and stories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is a criticism of the Oscars and has been for some time. I see that it is again this year. I stopped watching the awards show years ago for various reasons. And, I'm unlikely to watch this year, either. But, I get that it's a big honor for actors.

I've not seen that many movies this past year so am genuinely wondering if the complaint is more general or is there some specific actor(s)/actress(es) that have been overlooked this year? Is it right to expect a non-white nominee regardless of the caliber of the performance? Is that the complaint here? Or is there someone or some people who have been genuinely overlooked this year?

I realize that someone will find something wrong with what I've asked and that's fine. But, I'm just wondering what people think (after just reading that Jada Pinkett Smith is boycotting the event).

I haven't read the other responses and I'm not sure if boycotting the event is warranted. But, there were specific movies and performances this year that could or should have been recognized, notably Straight Outta Compton (deserving of a Best Picture nominee as well as an acting nomination for Jason Mitchell at least) and Creed (deserving of a best actor nomination for Michael B. Jordan and a best supporting actress nomination for Tessa Thompson). I believe that if Michael B. Jordan were white he would be a double Oscar nominee by now. The Oscars would be so much more interesting if they were interested in different types of actors and stories.

By the way, I am white and and a huge movie/Oscar buff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does make one wonder about liberal Hollywood who champion minorities except when it comes to who is eligible for award ceremonies.

The first mistake is assuming Hollywood is liberal. Not.At.All.

If Hollywood is not liberal, they sure put on an Oscar winning act!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sad part to me is that ONLY black entertainers/actors seem to be piping up about the issue. Thereby making it a 'black issue', which will be summarily dismissed. Jada Pinkett Smith should take a step back and let some other hues voice their concerns. Plenty of Asian and Latino actors and directors are major contributors. Same issue every time there's a panel on affirmative action. Black people march out front and it becomes all out black vs. white. It will never resonate that way.

Blacks are the most established and organized minority in the country, and many whites want to support them given the history of slavery and civil rights, so it's easier for them to be vocal about stuff.

The sad part to me is that blacks primarily seem to care about blacks, instead of including and inspiring all minorities. That dilutes the potential power of the growing number of non-whites.

[Anonymous]

PP. You are way off base. Black, Asian and Latino professionals in H'wood do work together and commiserate on these issues. In my view Black in Hollywood is a proxy for all people of color in the business.

The issue of the Oscars shines a little light on the fact that stories about people don't get the Greenlight that often and that is the larger issue the the Oscars reflect. Go see some of the disgusting emails leaked by the SONY fiasco. Another example, years after oscar worthy performances, Denzel gets one for Training Day. Spike Lee is another example - and he had to work outside the traditional Hollywood structure to even get his movies made!

It's a serious issue because the images that come out of Hollywood influence our perceptions of people. TV has come alot further. We need more diverse movies that tell all types of stories. There are markets out there for other types of stories. The real truth is that Hollywood doesn't want to share the loot.

I lived and worked in Hollywood for sometime and it is a very hard business for people of color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP. You are way off base. Black, Asian and Latino professionals in H'wood do work together and commiserate on these issues. In my view Black in Hollywood is a proxy for all people of color in the business.

The issue of the Oscars shines a little light on the fact that stories about people don't get the Greenlight that often and that is the larger issue the the Oscars reflect. Go see some of the disgusting emails leaked by the SONY fiasco. Another example, years after oscar worthy performances, Denzel gets one for Training Day. Spike Lee is another example - and he had to work outside the traditional Hollywood structure to even get his movies made!

It's a serious issue because the images that come out of Hollywood influence our perceptions of people. TV has come alot further. We need more diverse movies that tell all types of stories. There are markets out there for other types of stories. The real truth is that Hollywood doesn't want to share the loot.

I lived and worked in Hollywood for sometime and it is a very hard business for people of color.

PP, I'll give you credit for having some first hand knowledge. However, people 'commiserating' about issues and being the face of an issue are two different things. We aren't in the business, very few of us are. If the goal is to influence the 'business' rather than public opinion, then fine. If it's to garner the support of the public, then maybe a more diverse set of voices. Just saying...The narrative of the black struggle has been eroded (erroneously, of course) by the election of our first black president. I look forward to hearing that constantly for the next 40 years.

[Anonymous]

We have had some heavily black ones in the past. If you look at in relation to the demographics of the entire Nation...there was one year when almost every one of the 4 major categories were won by AA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had some [/u]heavily black ones in the past. If you look at in relation to the demographics of the entire Nation...there was one year [u]when almost every one of the 4 major categories were won by AA.

Oh, please share. Considering Denzel and Halle won FOR THE FIRST TIME in the last 15 or so years, I would LOVE to know about this epic year... Was it some or one??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had some heavily black ones in the past. If you look at in relation to the demographics of the entire Nation...there was one year when almost every one of the 4 major categories were won by AA.

http://www.uticapubliclibrary.org/resources/literature-and-film-guides/african-american-oscar-winners-and-nominees-acting/

The African American Actors who have won Academy Awards (Oscars)

1939 Hattie McDaniel for Gone With the Wind
Best Supporting Actress
1963 Sidney Poitier for Lilies of the Field
Best Actor
1982 Louis Gossett, Jr. for An Officer and a Gentlemen
Best Supporting Actor
1989 Denzel Washington for Glory
Best Supporting Actor
1990 Whoopi Goldberg for Ghost
Best Supporting Actress
1996 Cuba Gooding, Jr. for Jerry Maguire
Best Supporting Actor
2001 Denzel Washington for Training Day
Best Actor
2001 Halle Berry for Monster's Ball
Best Actress
2004 Jamie Foxx for Ray
Best Actor
2004 Morgan Freeman for Million Dollar Baby
Best Supporting Actor
2006 Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland
Best Actor
2006 Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls
Best Supporting Actress
2009 Mo'Nique for Precious
Best Supporting Actress

[Anonymous]

I guess I just don't think the Oscars are all that relevant anymore. We never watch -- used to watch all of that time, but that was easily 20+ years ago.

The only thing people are interested in for the Oscars is the red carpet, most people could careless who is the best director, best movie, or best actor.