Oscar nominations spark social media backlash over lack of diversity
The announcement of this year's Oscar nominees took social media by storm on Thursday morning -- and among the surprises and snubs, people quickly took notice of a lack of diversity amongst this year's contenders.
Not a single person of color was nominated for an acting Oscar when the names were unveiled -- the first time that's happened since 1998 -- and "Selma" was snubbed in the directing and lead actor categories (though it did receive nods for original song and best picture).
Academy voters also selected an all-male lineup for this year's best director category, opting not to nominate Ava DuVernay for "Selma" (which would have made her the first black female director to receive a nomination in that category).
On Twitter, the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite caught fire as users shared their frustrations.
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
#OscarsSoWhite Exodus was snubbed because it was too diverse.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite it thinks Miley Cyrus invented twerking
— Jawjuh Peach (@NrdLovnNetta) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite: The Academy is 94% White. 77% male. Median age: 62. 2% Black members. Thinks a BW prez makes these stats ok.
— Trudy (@thetrudz) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they want to touch your hair
— Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they don't see race. Or movies with black folks in it, apparently.
— Fed Up Nephew (@Awkward_Duck) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite that even The Lego Movie didn't get nominated for Best Animated Film because Morgan Freeman voiced a character.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) 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
"We gave them 12 years a slave last year maybe they won't notice" #OscarsSoWhite
— Jonas (@jonastheprince) January 15, 2015
When asked Thursday about this year's lineup of nominees, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science president Cheryl Boone Isaacs denied the organization has a problem recognizing diversity.
"Not at all. Not at all," Isaacs, the first African-American president of the academy, told Vulture. "The good news is that the wealth of talent is there, and it's being discussed, and it's helpful so much for talent -- whether in front of the camera or behind the camera -- to have this recognition, to have this period of time where there is a lot of publicity, a lot of chitter-chatter."