Lupita Nyong’o joins criticism of ‘white’ Oscars
Oscar award winner Lupita Nyong’o has said that she is “disappointed by the lack of inclusion” after the announcement of Oscar nominations, which for the second year running saw no black or minority actors being nominated in the four Oscars acting categories.
“I stand with my peers who are calling for change in expanding the stories that are told and recognition of the people who tell them,” the actress posted on Instagram.
Nyong’o, who was nominated and won an Oscar in 2013 for her role in 12 Years a Slave, posted on Instagram a statement of support and solidarity with the actors and filmmakers who are calling for the Oscars boycott.
TRENDING HASHTAG
This year’s Oscar nominations has seen the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite trending since the nominations were announced because the acting categories completely shut out any actor of color and all four categories feature only white actors as nominees.
In her Instagram post, Nyong’o wrote; “It has me thinking about unconscious prejudice and what merits prestige in our culture. The Awards should not dictate the terms of art in our modern society, but rather be a diverse reflection of the best of what our art has to offer today.”
BOYCOTT
Many actors have called for the boycott of this year’s Oscars. Jada Pinkett Smith said that she will not attend, adding that people of color should disregard the awards.
Director Spike Lee also added his voice by taking to Instagram and posting that he “cannot support” the “lily white” Oscars.
Also adding the support for the minority was actor George Clooney who accused the Academy Awards of “moving in the wrong direction” amid controversy over lack of diversity.
