Oscars whitewashed for a second year in a row

[teo 609]

 I swear the internet is bringing out the stupidity in people.Do you think they just sat in a room and decided not to nominate other races on purpose? You can say that theres a lack of representation of them in the industry in general hence the lack of nominations. That's an issue sure, but as far as I know and correct me if I'm wrong 2/3 of the population in the US is white, so it's not a surprise most of the nominations are white. Also good movies and actors will always get snubbed it's the same at the Grammys and every other award show and it will always be like that cause a one award category can never honor the work of hundreds deserving artists, directors, actors, writers, ect. It's just impossible.

[Shadow 6,625]

Since we're on this topic, are we suggesting that there be some kind of affirmative action, as there is in education and equal opportunity employers, when it comes to awarding cast of movies, shows, music, or entertainment in general? Should politics and background be considered along with talent to ensure equal and fair terms for who gets nominated and/or wins? Because if Hollywood is indeed racist as alleged, would that be the solution?

[LORD GAGA 1,271]

3 hours ago, Emigrante said:

Jesus. Seriously? Maybe none of black actors deserve the nomination. What world I live in to be honest. 

This. It isn't based on race to get nominated it's based on talent.

[migamiga 12,101]

The truth is, no matter how you slice it- there is a problem. And I don't think that any of this is actually intentional but racism has been so deeply imbedded in our culture that it affects us in a subconscious way and that's just as dangerous. 

[teo 609]

17 minutes ago, Twisted Shadows said:

Since we're on this topic, are we suggesting that there be some kind of affirmative action, as there is in education and equal opportunity employers, when it comes to awarding cast of movies, shows, music, or entertainment in general? Should politics and background be considered along with talent to ensure an equal and fair terms for who gets nominated and/or wins? Because if Hollywood is indeed racist as alleged, would that be the solution?

Is that ironic?
 

[Pacify Him 9,073]

No Idris?  he hot af tho 

[Pharamon 6,839]

Okay...so when f.e. there is rapping and there is a white woman (iggy) everyone feels so free to mix her with **** and nobody bats an eye...but when the situation is reversed...everyone is losing their minds and its like ''OMG U RACIST WOW IM GONNA SUE YOU WOW THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL''

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

Stop. 

Just stop.

[LoveandMagic 1,731]

I don't think that the Oscars are racist, but I do think Hollywood may have a certain perception of what the average viewer wants that can come off as prejudiced, if that makes any sense. I remember there was some film that came out a few years back, it looked like a very good action thriller, and the lead actor was black. I don't think it did well (despite the actor and film getting good reviews) and I think the director (or maybe producer) came out and said that the reason why was because audiences weren't "ready" for a black action hero.

I do know that Hollywood and television almost always considers marketability as a major factor in casting and choosing screenplays. A great many of the biggest or most buzzworthy names happen to be white. This seems disproportionate to the diversity of the populace, so we have to ask if there really aren't that many minorities interested in the biz, and even less that can take on the types of roles or projects that are popular. This doesn't likely seem to be the case. 

I've heard one reviewer that has said that audiences want to see themselves in the primary cast, but this is based on the assumption that minorities aren't frequent movie goers or fans of television series, which simply isn't true, but maybe Hollywood thinks the same?

I've noticed that when it comes to roles for minorities, particularly African Americans, it seems there's some limitations to the type of casting done. That doesn't mean there aren't great minority actors, directors, screenwriters, or films/tv with predominently non-white casts (particularly versatile ones), but they seem pretty few and far in between (in terms of promotion). Often too, they seem to deal with the similar topics.

It seems that the entertainment industry is sort of limited in the type of projects that are being offered to non-white individuals. Maybe it's an unconcious prejudice, or maybe the people interested in these projects are honestly not thought of as being a "right" fit. I don't know but it does seem a bit strange.

I do wonder what goes on in the offices of producers or casting agencies. Sometimes I watch a film and try to picture a different actor or director of equal caliber (who just happens to be non-white) and wonder if there would be anything fundamentally different to the role or project if they were cast as opposed to the white lead? Would audiences react differently? I wonder if this is a thought that occurs often in Hollywood.

[Voltaire 4,531]

This is a really interesting discussion.

We can't know what brought us to the reality of "no people of color nominated" this year. We can know that it is the reality of the nominations. We can't know it's because of direct racism. Some may speculate passive or subconscious racism.

What should be done? Specifically. If there were 8 serious contenders for a nomination, and a person genuinely believes that 5 are the most deserving of the nomination, but happen to be white, what should they do?

 

Anyone can point out a problem, it's seriously considering solutions that's important. I want to hear opinions on solutions.

 

-------------

A great solution that I'd like to highlight that I have seen, is when actor/comedian Aziz Ansari used his fame, career, and opportunity with Netflix to make a show that almost exclusively showcases under represented minorities and their talent. He did this remarkably well and with a lot of critical and GP praise. This raised a lot of discussion and gave a platform to actors that will surely be built upon for the rest of their careers.

 

[LeoFameMonster 1,592]

Damn they might give the award to The weekend just not to look racist and then Gaga will lose!

She better start dropppingg I am part black like she drops shes Italian!

 

[Higher 2,406]

.

[Enhsa 2,043]

4 hours ago, hellothing said:

inb4 TIHTY loses to The Weeknd just so that the Oscars can compensate

omg no

[Whispering 18,865]

2 hours ago, JanPianoMusic said:

The reality is that there are fewer roles for actors and actresses of colour and there are fewer female film directors and the nominations reflect just that. 

I agree, this is the reality of what's behind this accusation. There are simply more writers and roles for white males and young white women. The best writers are writing roles that are being filled with white actors. The best movies, with the best directors and producers, have mostly white leads. If the best roles in the best movies aren't going to POC, why should the Academy award POC in lesser roles, and ones that weren't as impressive? 

It all starts with getting writers to write movies for roles that can go to POC. Then, you have to find producers to get behind these movies and get the best directors, casting directors, etc. It can be done! Television shows are changing and Broadway has long been a step ahead, so the movie industry could do the same. 

[Whispering 18,865]

3 hours ago, Twisted Shadows said:

Since we're on this topic, are we suggesting that there be some kind of affirmative action, as there is in education and equal opportunity employers, when it comes to awarding cast of movies, shows, music, or entertainment in general? Should politics and background be considered along with talent to ensure equal and fair terms for who gets nominated and/or wins? Because if Hollywood is indeed racist as alleged, would that be the solution?

It wouldn't work, because movies aren't funded by the government or by the states. The movie companies and producers put up the money, so you can't tell them that they have to hire a certain percentage of POC for their film. 

It will all come down to POC (or those that are interested in opening the field to more diversity) starting their own movie companies, putting money behind getting writers to write the best movies or find and adapt the best scripts, hiring the best producers and directors, and finding excellent casting directors that can put the right actors of color in the right roles.