All white Oscars? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm white and I see almost every movie that comes out. Yes, blacks were very much slighted this year. Even if they don't win, they should have been nominated:

1. Will Smith (Concussion) -- he did an awesome job imitating the real doctor (who said so himself on talk shows)
2. Michael Jordan -- Creed -- Sylvester S. was nominated and he can barely utter an understandable word
3. Straight out of compton -- a couple of guys
4. The foreign flick whose name eludes me...movie is on Netflix...actor is black w/ a British accent (can't remember his name or maybe never knew it)
5. I'm sure I'm missing others

You're referring to British actor Idris Elba in "Beast Of No Nation".

[Anonymous]

I'm AA and I'll watch the red carpet like I always do and will even watch a little bit of the show cause Chris Rock is gonna have a field day. These are the things I dont get about the Oscars:
1) they seem to have certain people that always get nominated if they make a film that year: Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett. Are they really that good? vs. the other folks in the category or are they just famililar
2) The Oscars expanded the best picture category to include more choices, why not the other categories
3) the Oscars really dont mean that much for your career (that I've seen). People win them and their careers go downhill
4) Al Pacino did not win an Oscar for the Godfather I or II but won for Scent of a Woman...... WTF. The Oscars are a mindf*ck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Another white person who is flummoxed by the lack of recognition for Michael B. Jordan.

Me to on Jordan and Straight outta Compton - I really don't get how that movie is not a Best Picture nom. I would have predicted it to win. Way more intense, well acted, well produced and all around memorable movie. Maybe Spotlight came close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of robbed - The thread on Eddie Murphy reminds me of Dreamgirls. He'd won almost every major award leading up to the Oscars then loses to Alan Arkin.

That's because he has always publicly dismissed and been dismissive of the Oscars

Yes, I heard he didn't play the 'rounds' schmoozing game as required and shot himself in the foot...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm AA and I'll watch the red carpet like I always do and will even watch a little bit of the show cause Chris Rock is gonna have a field day. These are the things I dont get about the Oscars:
1) they seem to have certain people that always get nominated if they make a film that year: Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett. Are they really that good? vs. the other folks in the category or are they just famililar
2) The Oscars expanded the best picture category to include more choices, why not the other categories
3) the Oscars really dont mean that much for your career (that I've seen). People win them and their careers go downhill
4) Al Pacino did not win an Oscar for the Godfather I or II but won for Scent of a Woman...... WTF. The Oscars are a mindf*ck.

I would say that Meryl Streep is THAT good. I consistently forget who she is/where she's from when she's in some roles. Every damn time. JL, I think is more of a sweetheart, right now and CB does consistently good work, but she also receives consistently interesting roles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of robbed - The thread on Eddie Murphy reminds me of Dreamgirls. He'd won almost every major award leading up to the Oscars then loses to Alan Arkin.

That's because he has always publicly dismissed and been dismissive of the Oscars

Yes, I heard he didn't play the 'rounds' schmoozing game as required and shot himself in the foot...

If that's the case then the award is a joke. No more legitimate than a beauty pageant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't Spike Lee boycott everything?

I think I would state it differently. He is an outsider and embraces that role. However, he too should have received an Oscar by now.

He received an Academy Honorary Award last year.

OK. He was recognized but he still should have received one for a specific film. He still has time I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it have to be multi-racial? What if the only amazing performances were white this year?

Should they pick some ethnic actors just to round out cast? I guess I just don't know what people expect.

Black person here and I have no issue with the Oscar nominees being all white. The issue re diversity is not the oscar voters but the film industry as a whole. People of color are not getting oscar nods because they are not getting good roles, period!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm AA and I'll watch the red carpet like I always do and will even watch a little bit of the show cause Chris Rock is gonna have a field day. These are the things I dont get about the Oscars:
1) they seem to have certain people that always get nominated if they make a film that year: Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett. Are they really that good? vs. the other folks in the category or are they just famililar
2) The Oscars expanded the best picture category to include more choices, why not the other categories
3) the Oscars really dont mean that much for your career (that I've seen). People win them and their careers go downhill
4) Al Pacino did not win an Oscar for the Godfather I or II but won for Scent of a Woman...... WTF. The Oscars are a mindf*ck.

I would say that Meryl Streep is THAT good. I consistently forget who she is/where she's from when she's in some roles. Every damn time. JL, I think is more of a sweetheart, right now and CB does consistently good work, but she also receives consistently interesting roles.

Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett are two of the best actresses of our time. I am not sold on JLaw and her fake overdone accents.

[Anonymous]

I personally think the entire thing is just ridiculous. How many black actors vs. white? Maybe 4%? So clearly chances are greatly diminished if we look at it as a level playing field.

But to imply that Black actors and actresses are being slighted is just absurd. Enough of this affirmative action crap..its going too far. Leave it up to liberal Hollywood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally think the entire thing is just ridiculous. How many black actors vs. white? Maybe 4%? So clearly chances are greatly diminished if we look at it as a level playing field.

But to imply that Black actors and actresses are being slighted is just absurd. Enough of this affirmative action crap..its going too far. Leave it up to liberal Hollywood.

Did you even read what you wrote? Why do you think there are so many more white actors? The system is a racist mess. The awards are merely an example. Then again, racists never think anything is racism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think the entire thing is just ridiculous. How many black actors vs. white? Maybe 4%? So clearly chances are greatly diminished if we look at it as a level playing field.

But to imply that Black actors and actresses are being slighted is just absurd. Enough of this affirmative action crap..its going too far. Leave it up to liberal Hollywood.

Did you even read what you wrote? Why do you think there are so many more white actors? The system is a racist mess. The awards are merely an example. Then again, racists never think anything is racism.

Lady, if anything black actors and overrepresented compared to AA share of the US population (you might not have noticed, but we don't live in Sierra Leone).

What I am missing here is your complaint about the lack of Hispanic and Asian actors. Where are they? Do you know Hispanic and Asian population in the US is more than double that of blacks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think the entire thing is just ridiculous. How many black actors vs. white? Maybe 4%? So clearly chances are greatly diminished if we look at it as a level playing field.

But to imply that Black actors and actresses are being slighted is just absurd. Enough of this affirmative action crap..its going too far. Leave it up to liberal Hollywood.

Did you even read what you wrote? Why do you think there are so many more white actors? The system is a racist mess. The awards are merely an example. Then again, racists never think anything is racism.

Lady, if anything black actors and overrepresented compared to AA share of the US population (you might not have noticed, but we don't live in Sierra Leone).

What I am missing here is your complaint about the lack of Hispanic and Asian actors. Where are they? Do you know Hispanic and Asian population in the US is more than double that of blacks?

Asians and Hispanics are underrepresented too, no doubt, just like there is no doubt you're a racist. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally think the entire thing is just ridiculous. How many black actors vs. white? Maybe 4%? So clearly chances are greatly diminished if we look at it as a level playing field.

But to imply that Black actors and actresses are being slighted is just absurd. Enough of this affirmative action crap..its going too far. Leave it up to liberal Hollywood.

It's not just Black actors, but all actors of color other than white. That's why it's called a whiteout. Black actors are the most vocal. But then again, they were the most vocal on civil rights that once granted, made it accessible to all minorities