Another year, another year of the Oscar nominees being white as hell. Sure, Leonardo DiCaprio was mauled by a bear in The Revenant. But Idris Elba was pretty amazing in Beasts of No Nation. And hell, do I even have to mention how Ryan Coogler directed the s—t out of Creed? Only for the movie to get just a best supporting acting nod for Sylvester Stallone? How are you going to nominate Stallone when it was Coogler’s urging and directing that got him there? In the words of Kanye West, “How, Sway?”
I’m not even going to mention that Straight Outta Compton got a screenwriting nod (the screenwriters are white), because I thought the acting was mediocre at best. Let’s also not forget that the film was rife with misogyny. But there was Dope. Which was dope. And don’t tell me Dope didn’t deserve a nomination because it wasn’t a blockbuster, because I’m sure only 10 people watched The Danish Girl.
Year after year, black people on social media get up in arms because of black actors and movies that the Oscars bypass. Honestly, I’m pretty tired of it. Because it’s not going to change. If it’s not Dope getting a nom this year, it’ll be another pretty good “black” movie next year.
I’ve given up on any hope that the Oscars will turn into #OscarsSoBlack. I’ve given up on holding my breath until I see movies that I thought were good, with black directors and casts, get recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
But what I haven’t given up on are award shows that recognize our own.
What people fail to realize is that while the Oscars don’t want us, the NAACP Image Awards do praise the accomplishments of black people. But year after year, some of y’all’s faves don’t even show up. But they want to complain about not receiving Oscar or Grammy nominations.
What? Your own isn’t good enough?
#OscarsWillBeSoWhiteForever, and Chris Rock is hosting, so I’m sure a bunch of black people will tune in to hate-watch.