Another year, another exceptional batch of Academy Award-worthy performances. But while most of Hollywood is praising the fresh crop of talent both old and new, some are pointing out the shocking lack of minority recognition in this year’s ceremony. Every single one of the twenty nominees for acting are white, and the only “black” movie recognized by the Academy is Straight Outta Compton for Best Original Screenplay - which was penned by two white writers. So naturally, for the second year in a row, #OscarsSoWhite is trending all over social media.
The nominations are causing a stir on the likes of Twitter and Facebook, but much of the industry has remained tightlipped - at least publically. George Clooney, Rashida Jones, Emmy Rossum and Don Cheadle have all denounced the Academy’s nominations in some form of another. Will Packer, the producer of Straight Outta Compton, wrote a stirring letter on Facebook and Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith announced their intention to boycott the 2016 Academy Awards. But other than that, most of Hollywood’s biggest stars don’t seem to have much opinion on the issue. Some, like former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Janet Hubert, have actually defended the actions of the voters, claiming that black actors and filmmakers need to step their game up with better movies.
In light of yet another shutout, many took to Twitter to express their thoughts on this year’s version of #OscarsSoWhite. Here are some of the best tweets we’ve seen:
#OscarsSoWhite: Twitter Reactions
.@IceCube on "Straight Outta Compton.” #OscarsSoWhite pic.twitter.com/jSU5nhzAOo
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 15, 2016
#OscarsSoWhite says it all. @Chirlane and I are sick of only one kind of American being celebrated.
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) January 15, 2016
no female cinematographers, directors, screenwriters & actors of color were nominated this year. casually. #OscarsSoWhite
— georgina (@monetgrrl) January 15, 2016
Basically.
Image credit: @ajmaclean #OscarsSoWhite pic.twitter.com/CVgnobr6xT
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 14, 2016
#OscarsSoWhite that Whole Foods' collard greens will be on the Governors Ball menu.
— Charles Wade (@akacharleswade) January 14, 2016
#OscarsSoWhite that Republicans may confuse it for a rally.
— Charles Wade (@akacharleswade) January 14, 2016
#OscarsSoWhite that pumpkin spice lattes are the signature drink for the night.
— Charles Wade (@akacharleswade) January 14, 2016
2/2 Boycott, turn off our TVs. POCs in that room staging a sit-in. Stats like that don't change w/o disruption #OscarsSoWhite
— Jada Yuan (@jadabird) January 14, 2016
#OscarsSoWhite resurfaced when no actors of color were nominated this am https://t.co/ixOm8v39wP via @tamerra_nikol pic.twitter.com/Bb0JDkEI8V
— BuzzFeedEntmnt (@BuzzFeedEnt) January 14, 2016
#OscarsSoWhite, thank GODDESS we have TV
https://t.co/j74EPB6k3t pic.twitter.com/QN4mu1A1Cr
— dodai (@dodaistewart) January 14, 2016
Shorter Academy: "Huh? Diversity? We don't see color!" #OscarsSoWhite
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) January 14, 2016
Hi, Creed was better than everything else nominated. Ok thanks, bye. #OscarsSoWhite
— Anil Dash (@anildash) January 14, 2016