By Monique
I honestly can’t say I’m surprised, given the talk/excuse about the rumored event of the Selma team not sending out screeners (which I don’t completely believe because something seems left out of the story), but I am a little sad that Selma‘s been snubbed at the Oscars.
At least it’s up for the big nomination—Best Picture—but David Oyelowo deserved a nod for playing Martin Luther King Jr. and frankly, Oprah deserved a nod just for being Oprah. But seriously, the film deserved a little more recognition for being a timely reminder that the fight for civil rights isn’t over and that we all have to be vigilant and open-minded when it comes to honest discussions (and, frankly, battles) about race and privilege.
The internet and movie writers including writers at The Hollywood Reporter and Vulture reacted in kind, which is sometimes rare when it comes to movie discussion. Everyone is of the opinion that it’s a disgrace that the (domestic) Oscars are, once again, all white.
With this much frustration, people took to the place that’s now becoming Social Justice Central — Twitter. And lo, the creation of #OscarsSoWhite was born. Here are some of the best and provocative tweets:
#OscarsSoWhite that Angelina Jolie was snubbed just in case she decided to show up to the ceremony with her kids.
— Mister Jabba (@MisterJabber) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they haven’t shifted their selection process in 87 years #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/oMB1mVXUZ0 — Glen Coco (@MrPooni) January 15, 2015
#Oscarssowhite they can’t see a problem in this – The diversity gap in the Academy Awards #Oscars2015 #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/UOZLOM9Mnl”
— Media Diversified (@WritersofColour) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite we’ll see a lot of “Je Suis Charlie” buttons on the red carpet, but no #BlackLivesMatter — April (@ReignOfApril) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite #OscarsSoMale they don’t nominate @AVAETC for best director, but gave ’02 win to child rapist Polanski http://t.co/Tlg729CC6b
— Jennifer L. Pozner (@jennpozner) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite that the statue counts as a Person Of Color. — Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they want you to know they do really value films about civil rights…remember all those nominations for “The Help”?
— Jennifer L. Pozner (@jennpozner) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite Even “Fifty Shades of Grey” couldn’t get nominated — The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite Macklemore and Iggy Azalea have been asked to host
— BlackGirlNerds (@BlackGirlNerds) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite T.I is gonna defend them. — based kortney ✊ (@fakerapper) January 15, 2015
“White male filmmakers have the luxury of being mediocre.” http://t.co/QhNzHRqD7m #OscarsSoWhite
— Olivia A. Cole (@RantingOwl) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite you have to go back to 1995 to find nominees so lacking in diversity http://t.co/YFoQzfznux pic.twitter.com/toke4jUZ1c — The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite you have to go back to 1995 to find nominees so lacking in diversity http://t.co/YFoQzfznux pic.twitter.com/toke4jUZ1c
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they gonna mistake Will Smith for being a “coat boy” — who? (@NateKnowsNagas) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite the only time a Black person is nominated, let alone wins, is if they’re in a role as a slave or the help.
— QUEEN OF DRAGS (@wjlly2) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite They wanted to know why Selma wasn’t centered around LBJ. I’m not making this one up. — Nessa. (@curlyheadRED) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite They didn’t see Selma but their housekeeper said it was really good.
— Fed-Up AMPAS Member. (@thewayoftheid) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite Exodus was snubbed because it was too diverse. — Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) January 15, 2015
Apparently to @TheAcademy, in 2015, only the stories (some made up) of white people are relevant. #OscarsSoWhite pic.twitter.com/ZQFfV1hQSt
— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 15, 2015
There’s plenty more, but just go to the hashtag and see them for yourself. What do you think about this years’ nominees? And are you even going to watch? Because, honestly, I might just see what horrific dresses people are wearing on the red carpet and then tune out. Give your opinions in the comments section!
Julian 