Uproar over “Hollywood White Wash” is upon us but Do We Really Care? #OscarsSoWhite Hashtag Goes Viral due to the apparent lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations. Despite what you might think it’s not people of color doing all the ‘hating’ either…but is this change or just misplaced anger? At this point, do we really care what the Oscar’s thinks?
Do We Really Care? #OscarsSoWhite Hashtag Goes Viral and has had the Twitter-verse going H.A.M. since yesterday. With the non-nomination of the highly regarded movie “Selma” for any film or acting categories, followed by a television screen of back-to-back white men and women in almost every category–a lot of people got real pissed, real quick.
It’s been so heated it actually inspired protests and many mass media outlets to cover it, but Do We Really Care? #OscarsSoWhite Hashtag Goes Viral and what’s eye opening is the open use of the word “white” and “white wash,”–not because that’s the hashtag or its racist. But because for some reason now, we’re all of a sudden so open and aware of who is dominating awards of excellence. Think about that for a second.
In 86 years, 7 Oscars have been awarded to African-American women (many say for derogatory roles). The Grammys did not have a “Best Rap Album” category until 1996–and the list of legendary-excellent Hip Hop artists (for lack of a better term) who don’t* have any Grammys is to any lover of the culture ridiculous. On top of that, it’s reported that 94% of the Oscar’s voting academy is white and 77% are male. So are we really surprised about diversity? Seems like mainstream America is late to the party acting like these major companies, award shows etc. really care, should be really concerned, or at the least put on notice. To many it’s been clear that ship has sailed.
If you’re looking for a glimmer of hope, the new president of the Oscar’s Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Science is Cheryl Boone Isaacs, a black woman many believe will usher in diversity. As well, heavyweights like MC Lyte have discussed their aims in joining Grammy boards and upper echelon syndicates to spread influence. But in the meantime, social media will continue to debate truths and just plain GO IN!!! Check the gallery, please!!!
