Monday, 14 March 2016

The Oscar Goes to…Segregation #NoColour
#OscarsSoWhite

This year saw the nominations for the 2016 Oscars to be the most controversial nominee of all time, the lack of diversity and increase in segregation among black people increased racial tension, with only white actors being nominated. The 28 Academy Awards showed the increase racial diversity and segregation within America once more.



It is important to look at the hashtag and look how it influenced the Academy both positively and negatively on social media. If we are all honest with ourselves for a moment this is not a new issue that is occurring in America. The likes of James Brown and Ray Charles expressed the white man always being the superior force among them and once again it seems to be occurring to the likes of Viola Davis and Idris Elba.First To Speak Out: Jada Pinkett Smith

For the most part America still feel under the notion that segregation still exists and so the hashtag brought focus into the fact that segregation is not only taking place in Hollywood but that is truly hasn’t ended.What's it's Really like to Work in Hollywopd The days of the white man overpowering the black and forcing them to sing songs like, “Run Nigger Run” seem to have creeped into the halls of Academy Awards.


This important speech that was said shows the reality that if no one creates opportunities for black actors there will be no roles and thus no accolades AKA no acceptance speech to be made for any black people. I believe that the Academy must start to be aware of more black directors and producers who promote black based films because 10 years ago black people were at the forefront of nominees with Halle Berry and Denzel Wahington taking lead actor and actress, Queen Latifah in “Chicago”, Will Smith for his portrayal of Muhammed Ali and 2 years later Jamie Fox for his portrayal as Ray Charles in 2006. Black people were praised and honoured for their hard work by the Academy, where has the forefront gone? Finally, by allowing Chris Rock to host the award show and discussing the matter at hand in a humorous yet important way brought positive reaction to the Academy and the hashtag showing that they realize there is a problem even if they might not have a way to fix it at the moment this was a positive for Public Relations professional of the Academy as they should that they must not refrain from talking about it but discuss the important elephant in the room.


So these were the advantages that came out the hashtag #OscarSoWhite.  



Although there were advantages to this hashtag there were also disadvantages. The Academy still found negative reaction through social media as the stigma was created that the Oscars are racist and the only awards that does not embrace black people with no nominations for black actors. Another disadvantage experienced was the Academy is believed to not advanced into today’s times. It had not about what race the actors is but about what made an impact, what movie taught, interested, moved, shocked, made us aware, cried and made the public laugh. So the Academy should be aware of the reaction of the public instead of a committee that is mostly made us of one race to decide what actor deserves an accolade, transformation needs to be implemented. This was another disadvantage, there is not transformation or racial equality within the Academy committee thus this is a recommendation to the Academy and the committee and to Public Relations professionals that they should incorporate more diversity in the Academy. 

Overall this is the current view of the Academy and sadly the world of a black person in America and Hollywood. 

8 comments:

  1. Very interesting article. You make some valid points

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  2. #oscarsSoWhite ....we are glad som1 from this part of the world spoke about it..Racism must go into extinction...black pple should be celebrated too

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  3. racism is wrong. I am glad to have read this article.

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  4. I am please for reading this article

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  5. Your article is so factual, i couldn't agree with you more. Racism has always been an issue and will continue to be as long as our people are not open to change.

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  6. Indeed I agree with Pabi beautiful supporting facts are incorporated in your article.Brilliant use of tone, regarding the Oscars there is still a gap because of lack of diversity.

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