The 2016 Oscars is once again the center of a cultural quake because all quality black movies, actors and actresses were shut out of the Academy Awards. Again.
The nominations program this morning immediately sent shockwaves reverberating throughout the country because even the critically-acclaimed movies and performances that featured African Americans were shunned.
Most urbanites thought that Straight Outta Compton, the movie about the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of the revolutionary rap group NWA would receive at least a few Oscar nods, one for Jason Mitchell for his amazing performance as the doomed don of drugs-turned-rap boss Eazy Z and one for either the film itself or the director F. Gary Gray. Instead, the only nomination it got was for the screenplay — and the screenplay was written by a white man and woman.
Others believed that Will Smith, who critics said gave his best performance in the drama Concussion and got a Golden Globe nod, would automatically get the same love from the Academy that votes on the Oscars.
Nope.
Even Netflix put on a strong marketing push campaign to get the great actor Idris Elba noticed for his strong performance in the movie Beast of No Nation.
Nada.
Finally, some believed it was finally Michael B. Jordan’s turn to be recognized for his ascending acting skillset and fame and for his role in the Golden Globe-winning movie Creed.
Naw.
Instead, the Golden Globe went to Sylvester Stallone and Jordan was, like the others, were on the outside looking in, wondering what it takes to get into the game.
Looking for a name of a person of color in these #OscarNoms like pic.twitter.com/s1tICWjq0K
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 14, 2016
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STRAIGHT OUTTA MELANIN #OscarsSoWhite
— Angela Cobb (@angelacobb) January 14, 2016
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No Black actors among the 20 major nominee spots? Easy to explain: No toms, mammies, coons or scared slave films this year. #OscarsSoWhite
— Greg Carr (@AfricanaCarr) January 14, 2016
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This bit is especially pertinent this year. #OscarsSoWhite pic.twitter.com/GaGnnbDaHP
— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) January 14, 2016
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#OscarsSoWhite… I mean, this is the array of diversity amongst all 20 acting nominations: pic.twitter.com/esEzGArlmh
— Brian Addison (@BrianAddisonLB) January 14, 2016
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#OscarsSoWhite There was more diversity at the 1936 Berlin Olympics pic.twitter.com/3LocJcodPC
— Richard Hine (@richardhine) January 14, 2016
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#OscarsSoWhite that their theme for this year’s show will be #AllMoviesMatter
— Brian Addison (@BrianAddisonLB) January 14, 2016
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Yup, #OscarsSoWhite Again, But Did You Really Expect Anything Different? – It feels like Groundhog Day. This… https://t.co/bjv7EetHbK
— Clutch Magazine (@ClutchMagazine) January 14, 2016
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#OscarsSoWhite you need snow goggles to read the nominee list pic.twitter.com/pyOPMxrJtP
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) January 14, 2016
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Some white folks do not get it and actually believe that African Americans have not, and cannot, produce quality films and performances. I mean, really, some of them actually believe this.
How dare those damn white people make good movies and win awards for it #OscarsSoWhite
— Jacob Carter (@jacobcarter666) January 14, 2016
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#OscarsSoWhite that maybe you should take that raw emotion you’re wasting on here and use it to make some great films?
— Beau Rezac (@BeauRezac) January 14, 2016
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#oscarssowhite the only people of color in an oscar nominated movie is pic.twitter.com/sSQ4vMekPA
— Brian A. Ross (@BrianRosserous) January 14, 2016
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So…. if Leo doesn’t win the Oscar for #TheRevenant he will be considered a black actor. #OscarsSoWhite
— Perdue, Nick (@thenickperdue) January 14, 2016
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Not sure why black actors feel they MUST be included in an event made for back slapping rich white folk. #OscarsSoWhite
— Film Gob (@filmgob) January 14, 2016
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this is a golden opportunity for the academy to nominate #50shadesofblack for best picture next year. #OscarsSoWhite
— aaron (@tigercranestyle) January 14, 2016
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Should have a separate category : Best performance by a non-white person #OscarsSoWhite https://t.co/YACP1uIKy5
— Frederick Edwards (@weetigo) January 14, 2016