The NAACP Image Awards were held on Friday night, and as you can imagine, there was a lot of talk about diversity and #OscarsSoWhite. The event was MC’d by Blackish star Anthony Anderson, who devoted most of his comments to the ongoing diversity conversation, at one point telling the assembled crowd: “Hollywood needs to know that this is what diversity is supposed to look like.” You can see the full list of winners here.
The best thing, for me, was Michael B. Jordan’s multiple wins. He took home an award for Outstanding Actor in a Film for Creed, plus he took home the Entertainer of the Year Award. MBJ is a genuine movie star, and if he was white, he would be discussed and worshipped like Ryan Gosling. He told the crowd: “I’m just proud to be black and in this room. I used to sneak into the Image Awards, and now I’m standing here as the entertainer of the year, which is mind blowing.” MBJ’s costar Sylvester Stallone surprised the crowd by showing up to present, and he was even more surprised to find that the crowd was happy to see him.
Straight Out of Compton won Best Film, and Empire picked up the award for Best TV Drama. Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard won Best Actress and Actor for a Drama series and Taraji looked like she was enjoying herself. Bless her.
PS… Chadwick Boseman!! I’m genuinely excited to see Chadwick as Black Panther.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Nope this is not what real diversity looks like – this is what black and white version of diversity looks like.
its a pretty odd statement. its almost exclusively blacks, thats not diverse.
Yeah, okay. But the treatment of black Americans tends to dominate the diversity conversation because they have historically been the most marginalized group of Americans, alongside Native Americans. Before the Chinese arrived, before everyone else–it was colonial powers, natives, and black people. As a result–as a consequence of both this history of treatment and its unique political components (see: Civil War)–black Americans have been the most politically organized minority group and they’ve made the most political gains.
Facts. So instead of crying about the ways in which diversity isn’t perfectly represented, maybe support the representation of black people because it is a gain for all Americans.
thats not the point, its a free country they are free to do this, just dont call it diverse.
@ Esther- I see a couple white folks in that pic. This is no more/less diverse than white people’s version of diversity, which usually involves a whole bunch of white peeps with two or three PoC faces for good measure.
I have absolutely no problem with awards that are excusively given to PoC just like I have no problem with awards thet are given to women only.
It doesn’t bother me either Kitten..off topic but, I didn’t realize Michael B. Jordan was Jordan’s son until a few months ago..
@Blue Marie – I think you may have gotten some bad information, because he’s not related to THE Jordan at all. Though he’s a familiar face to watchers of The Wire.
LMAO Don’t you think if Michael B.Jordan was Michael Jordan’s son it would be mentioned in interviews,articles,etc? People would be bringing up nepotism,basketball skills,etc.Michael B Jordan’s dad is a caterer,his mom is a high school guidance counselor.
Haha okay then that means im an idiot. I was arguing with a friend and they were so convincing I figured it was true.. not one of my brightest moments
Ha! I think we’ve all done something like that at some point 🙂
Oh ffs, not this again.
“What about the…”. Indians? Mexicans? Mongolians? Chinese? Well they are free to speak up!!
It seems like everyone expects black people to do all the work for them while they can be quiet “good” minorities.
He is black, he was speaking to his fellow black people.
If it was Alejandro Inarritu speaking to Mexicans no one would tell him to include African Americans in his speech.
No one called out Sofia Vergara when she was ONLY speaking about hispanic women. No one asked her to include other women of other races and ethnicities.
But Chris Rock got all kinds of “He is so ignorant, what about the…fill in the blank”. Everyone wants black people to be inclusive while they are exclusive. Have you watched telenovela? Mexican TV? You would think only white people live there. Where are the brown and black people in their media??
I have no dog in this fight but I’ve been quietly following the threads where many black women complained about black people having to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to fighting for diversity. Last Friday’s thread seemed like an example of that to me.
Vergara was asked point-blank about diversity and she gave a very diplomatic, Hollywood answer. She was hand-delivered the perfect opportunity and platform to discuss diversity and she did her best to tactfully avoid it.
Contrast that against the Rock thread, where he answered honestly, giving his thoughts about how black women are treated and he was slammed for not doing enough.
As I said, I have no dog in this fight. As a white woman, my job is to support all minorities, but that thread was really telling I think.
@ nn these people just don’t get it. You can drill it into their heads with pop up pictures and they still won’t get it.
I argued your same point regarding Sofia and all they did was make excuses. If I want to speak on diversity as it pertains to my race I don’t have to include other ethnicities or race at that time. I’m talking about my race but feel free to pick up a mic and speak out for your people. Don’t crap on me because I’m voicing my opinion about my specific race.
@Kitten
Exactly. I’m sorry, blacks can’t do and be everything for other minorities. We can NOT do all the heavy lifting and breaking of our backs. We are happy to support and encourage but we are NOT responsible for ensuring growth in Asian/etc representation. I understand that each race and ethnicity struggles with its ‘perception’ of what it’s supposed to be and how they should be treated (Latino and Asian individuals had very submissive roles when first entering this country due to illegal immigration and internment camps) but that is up to THEM.
If you can not stand to fight and defend yourself (and I am not saying they can’t, the tragedy in all of this is there are groups in each culture screaming themselves hoarse right now just trying to be heard) then it also can not be handed to you. For all the complaints about blacks ‘hogging’ the conversation we have also been the ones to be the loudest, most forceful, and persistent.
This is a new imaginary grievance – “it seems like everyone expects black people to do all the work for them while they can be quiet “good” minorities”. Who are these “everyones” – I’ve never heard them. I’ve heard a lot of people – black, white, hispanics, asians, women of all colours – asking for diversity and never thought that they were all referencing blacks only.
The point is that collecting black people together and calling the group a picture of diversity is no more really diverse than collecting a bunch of Chinese and calling it so.
I’m a female engineer; we are seeking a more diverse workforce by which I mean we are tracking how many women, blacks/hispanics/asians/native americans etc. we interview and hire. Never have I heard from anyone that we or they are focusing either on blacks only or women only … There are a few threads on CB that have been an astonishing eye opener for me.
“If I want to speak on diversity as it pertains to my race I don’t have to include other ethnicities or race at that time.” … you can speak for your race and including it in a group – as you should – but don’t expect to be believed that you’re speaking about diversity if your interest is just in your race.
@boston
You’ll be happy to know that shockingly, these four photos of awards winners that happen to be black did not constitute the entirety of the awards show audience. In other posts you might be surprised to find that the audience consisted of a diverse collection of men and women, whites, blacks, Asians, Latinos, and Indians.
This is NOT a new grievance. Black people, women specifically, have said since the dawn of time how hard it seems to get people to empathize with us and how we have to include ‘all’ women to make our individual grievances known or appreciated. It’s the feeling that if 10 black women suffer it can be ignored but if 30 minority women suffer that seems to suddenly be worth acknowledging.
Even in your speech you don’t get to the heart of the issue. Hundreds of years later we’re STILL trying to get people to empathize and humanize us. To know we’re not all the same skin tone as Halle Berry and Beyonce. Nor sassy sistahs to stereotype and in the midst of that you’re telling us to also fix the issues for everyone else.
How does one fix an issue for other races which immigrated later when the group dragged here since the nation’s birth just stopped being hit by hoses and chased by dogs 70 or so years ago?
@LS-Boston: bingo – don’t use the word diversity if you are only fighting for black people’s rights.
Diversity means ALL ages, genders and ethnicities and not just black and white only.
It may not be clear from the photos that the entire AUDIENCE present for the awards was very diverse including Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and others. Anderson was speaking to and about the awards show audience present before him. Also recognizing black actors for great performances does contribute to diversity.
Funny, when it’s the same number of token minorities showing up to the normal awards people like you never complain about that.
Watch the show and you all see how many non Blacks were nominated and won awards.Whites,Latinos,etc.You will see Asians,Latinos,Whites as presenters as well.
What part of NAACP do you not understand, dear?
Am I the only one who finds his face irritating?
No. He annoys me and he practices intra-racism and misogynoir.
He has also made very sexist comments in his interviews.
+1. I used to like him but he has said misogynist and sexist things more than once (and I don’t buy “sorry” letters).
No. I’m not a fan either and I’ve seen a lot of his stuff. Weirdly I just realized I also met him maybe 4 years ago before all these movies and he was the kind of guy you’d meet 6 times and he’d never remember you. At least, that’s how he was with 2 of my girlfriends.
I love Michael! And Taraji’s Morticia Adams-inspired look is happening. I’d usually dislike the nude dress, but I love it on her.
So is ‘DIVERSITY’ the new word for black?
No but why don’t you speak up for yourself instead of expecting black people to do all the work for you. You are free to include yourself in the diversity talk.
could you explain how if other minorites are not given the same platform that black people get? thats really like telling women: “well just write and finance your own movies, we wont do all the work for you”
people without voices are NOT “free to include themselves in the diversity talk” what a weird thing to say.
if you expect men and white people to help you must expect the same from black people. white feminists also needed to learn that women of color are women too. black people also must learn that they are not the only minoriity and they have it better than other minorities in Hollywood. plus they have the platform others have not.
@Esther
Nothing is being handed to blacks as a gift. They are repeatedly vocal and STRONG in making wrongs done to them known. I refuse this reality where other races are somehow quiet about their grievances. They are NOT, the issue is they are ignored but that does not mean their salvation will be handed down from another minority group who – after slavery and segregation – is still struggling to be treated equally.
We don’t hold the keys to the kingdom so we certainly can’t lay them on a pillow at your feet. I don’t think anyone has ever said they’ve refused to help. We’re simply frustrated that people seem to push the responsibility of desegregating and being inclusive onto blacks. We can barely get awards or recognition so I’m not sure how we were supposed to magically fix issues for the other POC.
@Esther- but you make it sound as if black people were handed a platform, as if they didn’t have to fight for it. They’re STILL fighting for it and black women on this board have been telling us that it absolutely came at a cost. Where do you think the angry black woman trope came from? Or the prevailing stereotype among whites that black people are somehow more dangerous than other minorities? A lot of that is due to black people refusing to take shit from white people and white peeps not being happy about that, some even being scared of what that could mean. To my (admittedly limited) understanding that’s what some black women are upset about.
@nn Hmmmm… that sounds an AWFUL LOT like a white person telling other minorities to quit acting like a victim and to speak up for themselves.
“No but why don’t you speak up for yourself instead of expecting *white people* to do all the work for you.”
See how horribly problematic that sounds if I switch out the races? On top of that, I don’t understand why EVERYTIME this issue is brought up, some people get mortally offended as if us Asians Hispanics, and natives are forcibly asking you to stand up for us. All we are saying is that every time the word “diversity” is brought up, it usually only includes Black and White people in the conversation. We are NOT blaming black people for this, it’s just a problem that the media/hollywood has when it comes to talking about this issue (since they usually leave out other minorities out of the conservation).
Telling us to speak up for ourselves is honestly SUPER demeaning and ignorant. WE ARE SPEAKING UP FOR OURSELVES and just because the media doesn’t focus on other minorities who speak out, it doesn’t mean we aren’t doing anything. Why don’t you actually take some time to learn about what other minorities are doing before you make such dismissive statements.
I guess Contance Wu, Priyanka Chopra, Aziz Ansari, Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, Bird Runningwater etc. are all just stupid since they talked about the hollywood diversity issue and NO ONE IN THE MEDIA CARED. Oh, but please continue to tell us how we not doing anything.
@Reale….the audience, nominees and presenters were comprised of many different ethnicities. That actually is diversity. I don’t understand this complaint. Where is this awards show not being diverse?
Taraji poses are hilarious.
Raising awareness for everyone is important.
I was talking with a friend the other day about this and she commented that most of the movers and shakers are Jewish, who as a group have a history of immense struggle, hardship, unspeakable pain, equal to a lot of different ethnicities and group. They know what it feels like to be excluded yet they don’t recognize the fact that POC are routinely excluded from casting choices and they could bring about change but are resistant to do so. I thought that was a fair point and a new perspective.
Not a new perspective. At all. Even among allies (and Jews were fierce allies for a time during the Civil Rights era), there can be division and racism. It’s sad.
-TheRealPinky
That’s actually a very old, tired, anti Semitic perspective that has been around as long as I can remember. “The Jews control everything.” “Jews aren’t supportive of blacks.” They aren’t just one big lump of Jewdom, you know. Let’s not dredge up old stereotypes about one group in an attempt to help another.
No one saying Jews control everything I don’t understand your comment at all about old stereotypes and how it’s applied here.
And in my eyes everyone is equal, everyone is open to praise and criticism regardless of who they are.
I’m not in favour of using the term anti Semitic whenever the word Jewish is used.
Im sure my friend would’ve replaced it with Christians, black, hispanic, Indian, Hindu etc if they were indeed the movers and the shakers of Hollywood.
The Coen brothers are Jewish abd filmmakers, I disagreed with their take on the other thread am I anti – Semitic in disagreeing with them because they don’t see how the lack of diversity in Hollywood is an issue?
I agree everyone is an individual and not a small group can represent an entire group, that’s the same with any classification. I don’t blame all 1.4 billion Muslims for a crazed minority actions. The same way I don’t blame Jews for controlling everything in the world.
That type of thinking is nonsensical.
Your friend’s comment is one of the oldest sterotypes around. You seem to think it’s a bright new idea. I’m not saying you are antiSemetic, but the stereotype is. Learn some history before you open your mouth again. Your ignorance is appalling.
No your mind is appalling where you can belittle others to make a point, your not as nearly clever as you think!
I don’t need history to teach me ignorance you are proof enough. My colour has allowed me to witness much prejudice and ignorance than you will ever know.
It’s not in my nature to be vile but you have no right to tell me when im able to speak, white people lost that power a long time ago.
Sadly even in groups that know and face racism and discrimination there can be judgement of other races.
Recently there was a scandal that broke out about a Jewish fraternities private emails being leaked and just the waaaavvvveee of racism that was in them was shocking for a school in Chicago.
I often see this mentioned in other threads about the tangled and not necessarilly positive relationship between other minorities. Other races still look down on and judge blacks as being inferior, so it’s very hard to somehow be told to all hold hands and sing along. I think the best you can do is treat each individual as an individual and also recognize the world is changing. The hate you encounter today is a slowly dying flame.
I don’t personally believe Jews control everything, I think you’ve got a lot of discriminatory individuals in Hollywood that create a culture of systematic racism because they see no point in anything else.
I would like to point out that while the Image Awards primarily focus on acknowledging black artists they do nominate other PoC as well.
Yeess ^^ and white people Too, just as BET does, and I’d also LOVE To Point Out how #oscarssowhite has been a Thing two years In a Row and That sort of thing across the Board is why the awards even exist
Exactly QQ. I get the frustration, but the Image Awards are not the place to lay it at.
Well said. I think most people just look at the ‘bulk’ of a crowd and go “Well that’s the black awards show” but overall most awards shows tend to be diverse.
But even if there weren’t any white people, who cares? The fact that you guys are even here, feeling obligated to clarify is just ridiculous to me.
Would people complain about award ceremonies that only honor women?
Chadwick….in a tux….*puuuuurrrrr*
This is a black version of diversity…which is basically doing exactly what the white folks have done to them…throw in a few white people and call it diverse. This just does not end does it.
Yeah, poor, unrepresented white people. Why can’t more black awards shows have mostly white people there? The pain just never stops. I need a gin and tonic.
I’m 8 comments deep and have such a headache.
Lol I don’t understand where this mentality comes from. Do some white people just feel left out or something?
That picture is the cast of Empire, including a showrunner. The people in power behind the scenes on that show, aside from Daniels, are white. As is always the case. Fix THAT, then black people will do away with BET and the Image Awards. Have Texas buy new textbooks that do not refer to slaves as “workers” and the Slave trade as “immigration” where “African immigrants” we’re searching for “work,” with no mention of the no wages thing or the brutality of it all, and blacks will consider giving back leap day during Black History Month. (February)
Until then, save it.
-TheRealPinky
The Texas textbook thing actually terrifies me. I was shocked when I heard about it and I remain shocked every time I think about it. I never dreamed that anywhere would go that far backwards.
Diversity in Hollywood is important. But I wish people in the U.S. would talk at least as much about the fact that there are states in this country that are now teaching children racist lies as part of the official curriculum. This is worse than the old refusal to grapple thoroughly with the history of slavery, because at least then there was admittance that it was a thing that existed and people weren’t proud of.
In Portugal, colonialism is taught in history lessons in school as being a special trade relationship and made out to be like the Portuguese were business consultants helping African countries develop their exports. This weekend is ‘carnaval’ and people are dressing up in costume and think it’s ok to wear blackface.
…so do you actually know who else attended the show or are you just mad because all the pictures posted were black actors?
#NAACPimageawardssoblack
Idiotic
-TheRealPinky
Really, aren’t you just the tiniest bit embarrassed by that remark? Everything, but absolutely everything, has been about us for centuries. How can you whine when another group wants to hand out awards to group members who have made them proud? Who will be overlooked by awards that are supposed to be about everyone, but aren’t? Who will otherwise go unrecognized? How can you shove your face in there and say but what about meeeeeee??? You’re leaving me out! No fair! Really. How can you?
…honestly, I’m just embarrassed for you.
@ladysussex, I’m hoping so much that you were joking. Otherwise, there’s no excuse.
Ugh. Just do not.
Some of these diversity threads are beyond disappointing. Apparently it’s not just about speaking up, it’s saying all the right words in exactly the right way and anything otherwise is “not enough”. And if I hear “well now he’s being racist to white people” again I’m going to scream.
No, diversity doesn’t just mean black and white, but there’s a reason why it makes up a HUGE part of the American conversation on diversity- so much of the current system that people are protesting against was specifically intended to discriminate against and exclude black Americans. The problem isn’t that other races are being excluded from the conversation, the problem is that we’re still having the same conversation that started over a hundred years ago.
I’m going to go duck and cover now.
Tbh it’s kinda amazing to me that people really act like blacks are somehow lucky in terms of our representation, lol.
It’s like the statement about the way to judge someone is how they treat people they don’t need: waiters, busboys, etc. When I look at movies I don’t see this mountain of black people hogging the attention. I see less than 10 movies out of thousands that we starred in. Things ranging from comedies to indies to dramas, movies that frankly never reach any kind of social discussion. There was an award for Eddie Redmayne to play a transgender woman and yet the movie starring transgender women of color didn’t even get a blip on the radar.
So when a group, and let’s just call it Hollywood, says, “We don’t need you so we don’t have to respect you.” that somehow gets passed onto other minorities in another attempt to shirk responsibility. It’s like when Bill Maher said, “Well you know who’s fault it really is? The Chinese. They’re the ones who are racist and poor Hollywood just wants to make movies.”
Yeah. Movies about white people. I have a funny little feeling of China suddenly demanded movies from Hollywood with Asian stars that Hollywood would suddenly drag its feet.
It’s frustrating to me because it feels like people are being willfully ignorant of the fact that #oscarssowhite is a direct offshoot of #blacklivesmatter and #icantbreathe and Trayvon Martin and Flint Michigan. Diversity does not mean just black and white, but there is a social movement that has taken years to gather steam that is specifically tied to the treatment of black Americans. #oscarssowhite is tied directly to this, and it really bothers me that it’s now being considered not good enough or not doing enough because it’s not all things to all people.
EXACTLY.
This is the first time in the nation’s history where you have voices that typically would get no attention able to garner and command a presence on a national scale like this.
Clearly from anonymous (and not so anonymous) comments we had many people in the Academy who didn’t bother to give black movies a chance, think acknowledging racism hurts whites, or that blacks are like aliens. In the past we all would have had to accept that and shut up but now we are able to be vocal and make our power known.
It took us a long time to get here off the steps put forward by others so it’s worth acknowledging that it’s not perfect and not wrong simply because it’s so focused. You’re right, without #icantbreath and #blacklivesmatter we wouldn’t even have this platform.
Thank you.
This can be considered a fluff question…so how come not one post on the red carpet fashion for the naacp awards? I have noticed in the past that along with your coverage of award shows your site also covers fashion at film festivals. So why didn’t these awards rate red carpet coverage?
To all those who found a way to complain you’ll be happy to know that:
1. Other races were included and invited including Latino, Asian, and Indian actors and actresses. They walked the red carpet and took photos and were undoubtedly included in Anthony Anderson’s speech when he said ‘THIS is what diversity looks like’.
2. Once again if you’re unable to comprehend why these awards shows exist it’s because other governing bodies that judge acting consistently tell these same poc that they are no equal or impressive. If you have a club where the same kids are always sitting on the bench then one day they may create a club of their own that represents them.
3. Instead of whining about the lack of blacks pushing forward Latino, Asian and etc. people why don’t you take the time to google, find a platform that these groups use and support it either with money or even just a kind email. You want the benefit of looking down on others without actually helping any of us. There are Asian groups angry and fighting that their closest acting representation is either a nerdy stereotype or a Kung-fu master. Find the places they speak about these important issues and support them – don’t worry it’s not forbidden for you to look into and help them.
ESE, I don’t know where you find the strength. I admire you so much ’cause you somehow manage to remain eloquent and polite while schooling some willfully ignorant posters while I’m here behind my computer squeezing a ball to help get my blood pressure down. If you ever teach a webinar on how to do what you do, I’m there with my coins at the ready.
I Choose Me, I feel the exact same way. These threads get me so upset sometimes that I can’t even comment. The Eternal Side Eye is a GEM and has so much knowledge, like many of the other commenters here. Too bad people are willfully obtuse and filled with so much pride that they can’t stop and listen to what she’s saying, not even for a second. It’s exhausting and annoying and disheartening.
+1000
She always sticks to the issues. Politely. Makes intelligent, articulate arguments in the face of willful ignorance or just plain ignorance. Doesn’t get personal. I admire and envy all of those characteristics, especially after I post something like “yeah, well you’re stupid…” Hang in the ESE. We need you.
+1,000,000 to everything you guys said
Late to the game, but wanted to add my thanks as I learn so much from the thoughtful comments you ladies here at Celebitchy make! Keep fighting the good fight!
Preach!
-TheRealPinky
Wow.
Ladies I just want to say thank you, you absolutely made my day.
I also want to say I am so grateful for each of you and your comments. I’m very much human and many times I scroll down this website, see a post that will guarantee ignorance and hit the back button. I get angry and I can lose my temper and yes, seeing the same comments over and over, often from the same people can be daunting. So I’m always so happy to see people fighting the good fight too. You ladies always do and when I’m able to peek into those posts I avoided and see your smart and insightful comments I feel a whole lot better.
All I can say is I try and I do what I can with what I know to help others. I think most people have their own perspective and in general are good and want to learn more, so I try to help that way. Obviously I’m a fervent supporter for equality and rights, but I’m also a person learning everyday. On the topic of other ethnicities I think the Internet has been a gift because you’re able to go to websites, blogs, and organizations that these groups frequent and see and hear their concerns FROM them.
That’s something I learned and something that others can also do. I think we can all agree these groups have grievances and don’t get an equal platform but with the Internet we no longer have to chalk it up to just being a shame and something we can’t help with. You don’t have to feel like an intruder by going on a website and reading. It can help you to learn more and help these groups by giving them a wider outlet. It certainly helped me with understanding the issues from Asian and Latino perspectives. That new initiatives in the form of three shows have been created to try and put more Hispanics on TV because sadly other diversity iniatives did fail to help them. I, as a black woman, can’t commandeer the voice and story of their fight anymore than I’d want a man to do the same for feminism, but I can learn, listen, and support.
I reject the idea that blacks don’t care about other ethnicities simply because we passionately fight for ourselves. That idea to me comes from the same place as those who gush about Trump and how he’s just saying what everyone is thinking. No. I don’t want a diversity where other groups still suffer in silence and I don’t like people who try to make struggling minorities view each other as enemies. That’s hateful.
So again, thank you ladies, and for those who do want to learn more please do go on those websites and see for yourself. Don’t view personal pride as being a rejection of other races or something you are excluded from. Honestly, the more the merrier so long as you come to help and not hate.
You deserve every praise you get here Eternal. I get tired and angry too, unfortunately that leads me to make the not so intelligent comments or coherent ones for that matter. Your continuous effort to take the time and actually teach people something is pretty damn inspiring. You’re a gem, girl!
“Other races were included and invited including Latino, Asian, and Indian actors and actresses. They walked the red carpet and took photos and were undoubtedly included in Anthony Anderson’s speech when he said ‘THIS is what diversity looks like’.”
In theory films in languages other than English are included for consideration for the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards. So the xenophobia isn’t institutionalized. But in reality non-English speaking films are rarely nominated. So xenophobia is present.
Taraji and her posing. Ha ha !
To some of the posters here in particular @Ava & @Maya Do you know what the NAACP stands for ??.It is an ORG that is open to ALL POC. I do not know why CB decided to show only these shots but every yr this year included , nominees, invitees, presenters and winners also includes other POC, Asian, Latin etc.and even white people that support positive efforts for POC i.e Spielberg (elsewhere there is a pic of Gina Rodriguez and Kiki Palmer embracing on the red carpet a concept that is apparently foreign here)
For instance Are you aware that some past nominees for best actress include Rita Moreno (winner), Sandra Oh(multiple nods) America Ferrara and Archie Panjabi who WON as recently as 3 yrs ago ???
You do not know this NOR do you want to educate yourself as this does not suit your narrative of bashing black people for the slightest attention you feel they are getting or if they are not doing what you apparently feel is their role on this earth to be the beasts of burdens for every one else.
These comments are getting so predictable and IMO just Anti-Blacknes thinly veiled as concerns for “diversity “
This right here. Thank you. And I’m almost 100% sure that you won’t get many replies. You’re speaking truth, and people don’t want to hear that.
Stop trying making Michael B. Jordan happen!!! He has no chin, acts badly and the reason for Creed success is one and only: Rocky.
He’s a very good actor, but Creed is not his best work (nor Coogler’s imo).
He’s already happened. It’s a happening thing and it’s happening to you.
Wow, that is an impressive amount of wrong in one sentence.
…just….do you know how many Rocky movies bombed that were strictly about Rocky? Yet the one that becomes a success is somehow all thanks to Sylvester Stallone?
You’re just cranky because there are too many billy goats trip-trapping over your bridge.
I”m glad Michael B Jordan was recognized. I think he’s talented. I do think a lot of women swoon over him. His looks help. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m surprised Empire won any awards. Their second season has not been good. I am a loyal watcher of the show but have been very disappointed with the story line this year. Let’s hope they pick things up and get the ratings back up.
Some one has to recognize minorities. Black Image awards or BET are the shows that do that. The reality is instead of complaining about the Oscars being white i am like do your own thing. If i was black actor i would not show up for the Oscars and i would not even discuss it. I would attend the image awards, i would work hard and create my own avenues and let the Oscars have their white show. because the more we talk about the more you are labeled as black people complaining again. If i was asked what i thought about the Oscars i would point blank say its none of business it not show that represents or defines people of color so i don’t really care to give it credence or care who they nominate or don’t . If all the black and people of color did this and minded their business and the Oscar shows were virtually white the world and didn’t even bother to enter the competition people would take notice, the studio would take notice.
Just of topic for second do you know that Zoe Saldana makes less than a million dollars although she has been in some of the most successful franchises. She was in Avatar, Star trek , Guardians of the Galaxy , she has never been on cover Vogue .
Her counter parts who have graced franchises, J LAw, shailene woodley have made 4 times as much on their franchises.
Saldana should get a better agent to negotiate better deals. She should be making more than that. She’s had a lot of success in acting…mind you I’m not sure she’s ever played the lead has she?
The agent is not the problem . She is black and that’s the problem. Black women make way less
To be fair, no one’s seeing those films because of her. That’s what actors get that extra money for, their ability to get people to see the film. Saldana just doesn’t have that indefinable thing that makes her a box office draw. I’ve seen her in so many things, and liked her, and promptly forgotten she was in said things.
Look at GotG. She actually had quite a meaty role, but pretty much everything else outshined her. She was fine, but the CGI tree was more memorable.
The guys in Hunger Games aren’t particularly highly paid, because they aren’t the draw, JLaw is (and JLaw wasn’t highly paid for the first film, she had to show that she was integral to the success of the franchise first). Certain Marvel actors are paid a huge amount because they actually have an effect on sales, others are paid far less because any actor could play them and just as many tickets would be sold.
There’s a lot of actors like that. Michelle Rodriguez, James Franco, Katy Bates, Woody Harrelson, Tyrese Gibson, Don Cheadle, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Orlando Bloom, Stanley Tucci, Stellan Skarsgard, Gary Oldman…all these actors have a collective box office total larger than Saldana’s, but none of them are getting the $10-20 million dollar pay-checks and the amazing back-end deals. They’ve been in some huge films, and in many cases have been great in them, but they have very little to do with those films being successful. Michael Caine is one of the top ten actors with the largest box office total, and that’s mostly due to films made in the last decade or so, but he’s paid less than he used to be years ago because he’s not the draw in these huge tentpole films. That’s just how it works.
@Pepper
Re Zoe Saldana, I was waiting for someone to say this , Yes she doesnt carry the movies and people arent going to see just because of her, that still doesnt change the fact that she played a significant role in some of the largest money makers. Avatar, Star Trek, Guardian
I am not even a fan of hers and certainly no one is expecting her to be making 10-20 million but can you honestly say that a young blond actress in her same position still cant even pull a 1 million for those pics ? ??
I mean how much did Jeremy Renner pull for American Hustle ? seriously who went to see that film because of him ? and how much money did that movie make??
Wow. Taraji P. Henson is one GORGEOUS woman. I realize that is far from the most important thing to take away from this post, but still felt the need to say it.
I think Michael Jordan is one of the overlooked stories in this whole thing. While it’s been apparent that it’s Leo’s to lose this year, MJ could have EASILY made it into the nomination list. Eddie Redmayne was probably too Oscar catnippy to pass up (especially with transgender issues at the forefront right now) and Matt Damon was a well-received performance in a popular movie. But as much as I love Bryan Cranston, that performance wasn’t a top 5 and Fassbender was great but that performance buzz seemed to fizzle. But MJ got overlooked at the SAGs and Golden Globes too. That’s what really puzzles me. It may be #OscarsSoWhite but none of the award ceremonies are really all that diverse–the GG weren’t even that diverse and they have twice the main acting nominees! And SAG patted itself on the back when it’s diversity was mostly reflected in the TV department–and the Emmys do better than most anyway. But I’m really baffled as to why he got overlooked first for Fruitvale Station and now for Creed. And Creed was a box office success not some little indie flick no one saw–and Stallone got a nom. In fact the whole Creed thing confuses me–it probably could’ve taken a slot along with Straight Outta Compton in the 2 left unused. Were they going to win? Probably not but neither will the rest of the nominees. And again, successful! When the GG had a chance they went with the eventual Oscar nominees plus Will Smith, Christian Bale (he was put into supporting in Oscars), Steve Carell, Al Pacino, Mark Ruffalo. They had Idris Elba in Supporting but that made a whopping TWO minorities out of 15 male noms. (All 15 Lead & Supporting Actresses were straight up white) I wonder why the GG didn’t get as much flack? They’re really just as bad given that they have even more slots. And Idris Elba is the other acting surprise though I do think the Netflix thing was working against him. But he made the GG and the SAG and NOT the Oscars? But Supporting Actor was really all over the place this year–which makes it probably the only interesting race come Oscar night since Stallone won the Globe (but was even nominated for the SAG) and Elba won the SAG, not the Globe and wasn’t nominated for the Oscar. So crazy. The other one I’m surprised at was Straight Outta Compton. Does it scream ‘Oscar bait’? No. But it had great reviews and big box office plus lots of press. There were 2 unfilled slots and it still wasn’t there? (And did it have all unoriginal songs? Otherwise no music noms is another head-scratcher.) This is why I think the attack (for the Oscars) is multi-pronged. You need to a) get more diversity behind the scenes (something mentioned earlier in the Project Greenlight flap) b) do what they’re doing and open up the Academy rolls to younger and more diverse voters and c) have some of the minority heavyweights in the entertainment industry (not just movies) throw their muscle behind some things ala Harvey Weinstein–power and influence can go along way to bringing attention to movies, hold some special showings (especially for movies that came out earlier and may be lost in the mix), etc…
“I don’t have a dog in this fight”
Umpteen posts later….lol Bless.
Can anyone tell me how many followers the #OscarsSoWhite Twitter account has? From what I’ve seen it seems surprisingly low given all the publicity. But I might be looking at the wrong thing.
I think it’s unfair to compair Jordan with Gosling. Gosling is what he is because of the Notebook. Your move mbj, do a super cheesy rom com!
Interesting point. I knew Gosling was a major talent when I spotted him in The Slaughter Rule, which came out two years before The Notebook. So I think it’s a combination of talent and the right vehicle that gets someone to the top of the Hollywood heap.
Love Michael b jordan!!! So happy for him.