If you have yet to see it, Monday, the Oscars released the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Nominations for 2023!
And, while I was excited to see some of our own get nominated for the Oscars. I was disappointed in the lack of nominations for some of the movies I enjoyed during the last year.
But before I get into my critique, let me give props to those who deserve their nominations.
As the first woman of color and the first Marvel studios actor to ever be nominated for an Oscar, we have the incomparable Angela Bassett as she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!"
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" also got nominated for their makeup & hairstyling and best costume design achievements!
Also, Brian Tyree Henry received his first nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in "Causeway."
"Wakanda Forever" is sweeping the nominations, as they got nominated for Best Original Song, performed by Rihanna and written by TEMS.
Don't get me wrong; I am ecstatic for those nominated above because they truly deserve their flowers.
But I can't deny my desire to know why more individuals are not receiving recognition for their hard work and talent!
And others need clarification as well. Black Twitter was in an uproar this week about why movies like "Till" and "The Woman King" were not nominated for any awards!
How can we forget the beautiful work of actresses like Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, and Lashana Lynch?
Or Danielle Deadwyler in Till? She not only embodied Mamie Till-Bradley, but she also helped keep the memory of Emmett Till alive.
You don't know how many individuals I spoke with after they watched "Till" who stated they didn't realize the extent of what Emmett Till endured at the hands of racism.
So, what does it take to get nominated for an Oscar?
Are good-selling box office movies not good enough for Oscar nominations anymore?
What movies do we have to be a part of to receive the recognition we often deserve?
And it doesn't just stop with the movies that are nominated. When was the last time a Black director won?
I won't even make you look. It's zero.
Those who have been nominated include John Singleton for "Boyz N the Hood," Lee Daniels for "Precious," Steve McQueen for "12 Years a Slave", Barry Jenkins for "Moonlight," Jordan Peele for "Get Out," and Spike Lee for "BlackKklansman."
Listen here, all of them have won Oscars because, in the Academy of my home, all those movies fit the bill of outstanding productions!
If the Oscar nomination committee is looking for a member, holler at your girl!
Watching movies is my second language, and I am always down to screen a film.
But until they allow me on the committee, I want to know what they will do to make a difference!
Don't get me wrong, winning awards is not everything!
But actors and actresses commit their lives to the craft just like everyone else who goes to their 9-5's Monday-Friday!
They deserve recognition just like the rest of us.
So, who do we need to contact to make a difference?
Because I know the Oscar Committee does not want complications after 2015's #OscarsSoWhite!
More of our people deserve their flowers!
Let me know what you think in the comments!
And remember to purchase your tickets for BBBARS because it's going down on February 18th at 6
o'clock!
See Y’all in two weeks!
Peace + Prosperity,
Jadis “IHateAdulthood” DeShong-Venay
References:
Geier, T. (2021). Every Black Director Nominated for an Oscar. The Wrap. https://www.thewrap.com/black-director-nominated-for-oscar-john-singleton-jordan-peele/