Once again, there is dissatisfaction that the nominating committee for the Academy Awards did not take minorities into consideration when making the 2016 selections. Certain African American actors who were expected to be nominated were shut out with the selection of all White nominees. Yet, the all White nominations should not be a surprise since the majority of the committee are White males. But, even more disheartening is the fact that these African American actors continue to accept such unsatisfactory treatment. Similar to last year when they were shut out, these minority actors will once again get glammed up for this upcoming award show. While parading themselves, they will be photographed in the most expensive clothes and accessories as they pose on the red carpet. They will appear on stage gleefully reading the names of the awardees although some of their own names should have appeared on the list. They will attend the after Oscar parties so that they can be seen wining, dining, and dancing even with the same people who did not consider them for any nomination. The vanity that comes with being a "celebrity" will not allow these African-American actors to take a stance and send a message to the Academy Award committee by boycotting the award show. These self-obsessed actors certainly will not give up being in the limelight of attention on a night when millions are watching the Academy Awards show. Last November, the Missouri University football team, even with their passion for playing football, threatened not to return to playing unless the administration took African American students' concerns seriously. These unselfish football players made a great difference not only for themselves but for an entire minority student population. We can go even farther back as the 1960s with the Montgomery Bus Boycott when African American made such a significant impact that resulted in changes not only in Montgomery but throughout the state and elsewhere. Until minority actors make an effort to demonstrate their opposition to the biases in the Academy Awards selections, then they should expect to continue to be ignored for any Oscar nomination. The public cannot fight these actors' battle. African-American actors must fight the battle themselves if they want to see any changes in the industry.
~ J.Y. Campbell
