Oscar boycott, or Black Actors Matter

[Theo520]

I didn’t notice a thread on this current social justice topic, so am starting one.

Below is just one of the many articles on the topic.
Oscars 2016 Boycott: A Timeline of the Controversy

IMHO:
long term, Hollywood should probably increase diversity in their nominating team, and give more A-list projects to diverse actors…

short term, one of the nominated ‘whiteys’ should just come out and self identify as black

 

[DaveBj]

I didn’t notice a thread on this current social justice topic, so am starting one.

Below is just one of the many articles on the topic.
Oscars 2016 Boycott: A Timeline of the Controversy

IMHO:
long term, Hollywood should probably increase diversity in their nominating team, and give more A-list projects to diverse actors…

short term, one of the nominated ‘whiteys’ should just come out and self identify as black

There’s been a lot of sturm und drang in the media about this recently, but for my part, it is right near the top of my “don’t care” list. That said, I second your last statement

 

[styrgwillidar]

There’s been a lot of sturm und drang in the media about this recently, but for my part, it is right near the top of my “don’t care” list. That said, I second your last statement

Don’t go to the movies much so I have no idea as to the validity of the complaints.

If there is racism than someone should be able to point to specific performances that shouldn’t have been nominated, and those that should have been instead. I haven’t seen anybody citing specific cases that would support the allegations.

 

[Theo520]

Don’t go to the movies much so I have no idea as to the validity of the complaints.

If there is racism than someone should be able to point to specific performances that shouldn’t have been nominated, and those that should have been instead. I haven’t seen anybody citing specific cases that would support the allegations.

One movie on Netflix was excluded, well because it ran on Netflix instead of in theaters. That’s their business model. I’m referring to ‘Beasts of no nation’

The black actor in Creed is probably the only noteworthy performance that may have been legitimately excluded. But hey, it’s the 7th Rocky sequel, I expect that’s what did it in.

I find the whole thing a bit like the ‘in-crowd’ selecting Prom Queen and King.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Probably the black actors weren’t good enough to make it this year. They shouldn’t start bias in the Oscars by making the people that select the actors pick plenty of black people that really don’t deserve it but will get nominated anyway simply because they are black.

 

[Isca]

Probably the black actors weren’t good enough to make it this year. They shouldn’t start bias in the Oscars by making the people that select the actors pick plenty of black people that really don’t deserve it but will get nominated anyway simply because they are black.

I think the argument is more that the committee that decides the nominees is predominantly white, male and over-60. Last year too, all the nominees were white, I believe.

Stellar performances by black actors (whilst recognised by other awards committees) are often overlooked by the Academy and nominations simply don’t come their way. It’s a very valid protest by black actors and film-makers, in my opinion.

 

[meltzerboy]

I think the argument is more that the committee that decides the nominees is predominantly white, male and over-60. Last year too, all the nominees were white, I believe.

Stellar performances by black actors (whilst recognised by other awards committees) are often overlooked by the Academy and nominations simply don’t come their way. It’s a very valid protest by black actors and film-makers, in my opinion.

I have no doubt that all of this is true. However, why does this have to be only a black and white issue? I am sure there are also plenty of good performances by Latino actors, Asian actors, even Native American actors and members of other minority groups which may get overlooked. I am not saying there should automatically be an even distribution; at the same time, performances by more diverse groups of actors should at least be considered in the nomination and voting process.

 

[Isca]

I have no doubt that all of this is true. However, why does this have to be only a black and white issue? I am sure there are also plenty of good performances by Latino actors, Asian actors, even Native American actors and members of other minority groups which may get overlooked. I am not saying there should automatically be an even distribution; at the same time, performances by more diverse groups of actors should at least be considered in the nomination and voting process.

I think whilst the dispute has been reported widely as a ‘black actors under-represented’ issue, most of the commentators have gone on to discuss the general lack of diversity in Academy nominations (which is reflected by the make-up of the nominating committee). Top women film-makers are another under-represented group, for example. And of course, 97% of the AA committee are male.

 

[randomuser]

If there is racism than someone should be able to point to specific performances that shouldn’t have been nominated, and those that should have been instead. I haven’t seen anybody citing specific cases that would support the allegations.

Samuel L. Jackson in “The Hateful Eight.” And, ironically enough, Jennifer Jason Leigh does gets a Supporting Actress nomination for the same exact movie.

He was previously nominated (but didn’t win) for “Pulp Fiction,” so obviously some of those old white guy Oscar voters like the guy. Much like Gary Oldman, Cary Grant, and countless others, he’s already in the “How Has He Never Won an Oscar?” category.

 

[KevinAK]

I think the argument is more that the committee that decides the nominees is predominantly white, male and over-60. Last year too, all the nominees were white, I believe.

Stellar performances by black actors (whilst recognised by other awards committees) are often overlooked by the Academy and nominations simply don’t come their way. It’s a very valid protest by black actors and film-makers, in my opinion.

There are just as many if not more black actors and film makes who are rejecting the boycott argument.

This is just the latest publicity stunt from Al Sharpton.

Besides there are awards shows for just about everything now. The Oscars have become irrelevant.

 

[Restless_Heart_1]

I didn’t notice a thread on this current social justice topic, so am starting one.

Below is just one of the many articles on the topic.
Oscars 2016 Boycott: A Timeline of the Controversy

IMHO:
long term, Hollywood should probably increase diversity in their nominating team, and give more A-list projects to diverse actors…

short term, one of the nominated ‘whiteys’ should just come out and self identify as black

Let’s be honest here. Some of these people just like to cry wolf over nothing in an attempt to get attention or “make their voices heard.” Not to mention, the logic spewed out of some of these actors’ minds is so horrendously beyond liberal, it is nauseating.

Liberal celebrities do not deserve such attention, because there are way more important issues to worry about. Liberal media likes to use these kinds of stories as a distraction from reality. Lastly, take note how they bemoan a “lack of diversity” in the Oscars and ignore the March for Life/Pro-Life movement, the terrorism abroad, conservative victories…yeah…

Sorry for the ramble, but people are making way too much of a deal out of this. Yes, many excellent non-white actors exist, and one day they’ll be honored…one day…for now, let’s focus on reality…

 

[Casilda]

The Oscars have become irrelevant.

I 2nd the notion.

 

[meltzerboy]

There are just as many if not more black actors and film makes who are rejecting the boycott argument.

This is just the latest publicity stunt from Al Sharpton.

Besides there are awards shows for just about everything now. The Oscars have become irrelevant.

Perhaps the Oscars have become irrelevant to some of the public, but I doubt they have become so to most actors.

 

[exnihilo]

The complaint is some very well paid people who make their living acting are being ignored in an awards ceremony due to their race. There aren’t many things I could care less about even if it is true. If you don’t pay attention to these actors and Hollywood as a whole it will just go away.

I realized a long time ago that meta entertainment, to borrow from the NSA vocabulary, was the worst form of entertainment. I want to see entertaining and quality movies, which are rare enough. I don’t care about the industry. There are far better things to devote my attention to.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I think the argument is more that the committee that decides the nominees is predominantly white, male and over-60. Last year too, all the nominees were white, I believe.

Stellar performances by black actors (whilst recognised by other awards committees) are often overlooked by the Academy and nominations simply don’t come their way. It’s a very valid protest by black actors and film-makers, in my opinion.

I see no problem with having the committee be predominately white men. Just because a committee is predominately white doesn’t mean that all of their decisions are going to be racist nor that they are going to only select people of their own kind. Black people have won Oscars before.

 

[Casilda]

Does anyone (actors included) really believe that the Oscar awards are based on merit? It’s a who knows who. Do you really believe THE BEST movie wins? I stopped watching the Oscars after Annie Hall won. Yeah that W.Allen tripe. It’s nonsense. No sense.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Probably the black actors weren’t good enough to make it this year. They shouldn’t start bias in the Oscars by making the people that select the actors pick plenty of black people that really don’t deserve it but will get nominated anyway simply because they are black.

Conversely,there have been several black actors of note,who have been recognized and awarded the nomination and often oscars.I think this is a case of calling our racism where it diesn’t exist.

 

[meltzerboy]

Does anyone (actors included) really believe that the Oscar awards are based on merit? It’s a who knows who. Do you really believe THE BEST movie wins? I stopped watching the Oscars after Annie Hall won. Yeah that W.Allen tripe. It’s nonsense. No sense.

I think even if everyone knows there is politics involved in the Oscars (as in virtually everything else), actors are still very happy to receive an Oscar as a sign of their peers’ recognition and approval as well as their being considered for future, lucrative films and other projects. Further, there is the feeding of their self-worth as actors.

I love Annie Hall! But I understand Woody Allen films are not to everyone’s taste.

 

[Midwest88]

This is more of a non-issue.

I propose that there isn’t any racism involved, it’s just that certain performances and films get more momentum due to distributor, date of release and how stack the competition is in a given year.

Notice that the complaints are mostly geared towards the acting categories. Not Best Director. Not Best Cinematography. Not Best Costume Design.

Those that back the initiative to make it “more diverse” are playing into the whole pathetic aspect of “diversity.”

Also notice that it’s mostly blacks and their SJW lackeys who think this is a serious issue. It’s not. This reminds of the Yale Halloween Costume Fiasco & Mizzou’s BLM event. Of course, the administrative listened and actually complied to some demands. AMPAS has recently done the same thing with the #OscarsSoWhite complaints.

What’s being ask is that the acting categories have at least one black person in it in order to appease the God of Diversity. What they aren’t saying is that they secretly want affirmative action; they want a quota … for blacks.

 

[Midwest88]

The complaint is some very well paid people who make their living acting are being ignored in an awards ceremony due to their race. There aren’t many things I could care less about even if it is true. If you don’t pay attention to these actors and Hollywood as a whole it will just go away.

I realized a long time ago that meta entertainment, to borrow from the NSA vocabulary, was the worst form of entertainment. I want to see entertaining and quality movies, which are rare enough. I don’t care about the industry. There are far better things to devote my attention to.

Not to mention that “the road to the Oscars” is basically actors, producers and directors slapping each others back for making “art.” You have critic circle nominations, SAG noms, GG noms, BFCA noms, BAFTA noms then Oscar noms. Let’s not forget HFA (Hollywood Film Academy) awards, then IFC awards. Then there are awards for the smaller budget movies int he form of Gotham and Spirit. Also add in awards from prestigious film festivals like Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto. Awards are practically year round. If you miss a major award nominations (GG, SAG, OSCAR, BAFTA) you have a chance to get 1/5 which is what every film actor wants. If you’re acting since you were 18 and you’re established in your age range, you’re bound to be nominated for one of the five mentioned industry awards. It’s only a matter time, not so much skill or competition.

The media makes the Oscars and all the awards that uphold the “road to the Oscars” far more important that it actually is in a cultural sense. If the NE corridor thinks of itself as sophisticated & cosmopolitan (can the media please ST_U up about the DC blizzard … Seriously), then LA and the entertainment industry is its cousin of narcissism.

Does anyone (actors included) really believe that the Oscar awards are based on merit? It’s a who knows who. Do you really believe THE BEST movie wins? I stopped watching the Oscars after Annie Hall won. Yeah that W.Allen tripe. It’s nonsense. No sense.

With the recent moves to diversify the voting body, nope. I also don’t believe it was based on merit in years pass as well. A lot of the votes go towards performances that have momentum built from film festivals made months in advance (see: Cannes, Venice, Toronto) with the help of the critics. Best Picture, well, let’s face it - all the voters who are allowed to vote for this category haven’t seen all of the films that were nominated. An anonymous BAFTA member even admits it, as well as an AMPAS member saying, “Most votes goes towards whatever actor is getting the most hype, what our friends are voting for and what are family is voting for.”

Remember, Hollywood, at least acting, was never about merit. It’s whoever you have a soft spot for (Hello Twilight stars) and who’s “due” for a nomination. In other words industry nominations are, most of the acting spots, are through card shuffles and whichever/whomever shows up the most in each hand, their chances of a nomination increases.