While I still find Jada Pinkett-Smith's decision somewhat suspect (not because I dislike her, but because the timing seems a little... convenient?), she does bring up a lot of valid points.
The problem with the Oscars though, is that they have ALWAYS favoured the White Majority. If you look at a list of Women who have won an Academy Award for Best Actress on Wikipedia, there is one Person of Colour (POC).
Halle Berry is the ONLY WOC (woman of colour) to have won for Best Actress. Ever. Now, she isn't the only one to have been nominated, but I find it interesting that she is the only one to have ever WON. Seriously, the Oscars have been handing out awards since 1929.
So, because my interest was piqued, I went researching and here are my results (if you care to read them).
Since the first Oscar was given to Emil Jannings in May 1929 here are the number of People of Colour who have won for Best Actor or Best Actress.
In 1956, Yul Brynner became the first Asian to win an Oscar for Best Actor. He won for the musical "The King and I."
In 1982, Ben Kingsley became the first person of South Asian Descent to win an Oscar for Best Actor. He won for "Gandhi."
In 1950, Jose Ferrer became the first Latino/Hispanic to win an Oscar for Best Actor. He won for "Cyrano de Bergerac."
In 1963, Sidney Poitier became the first African American to win an Oscar for Best Actor. He won for "Lilies of the Field."
In 2001, Denzel Washington became the second African American to win an Oscar for Best Actor. He won for "Training Day."
In 2004, Jamie Foxx won for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the movie "Ray."
In 2006, Forest Whitaker won for his portrayal of Idi Amin in the movie "The Last King of Scotland."
And, in 2001, Halle Berry became the first African American woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress. She won for "Monster's Ball."
So... You may have noticed that only ONE woman of Colour is on that list... Yeah. That's a problem. You may have also noticed that there are ZERO Indigenous peoples (i.e. Native Americans). Here is a nifty little break down of what we just read.
- 1 Latino
- 5 African-Americans
- 2 Asians
- 10 African-Americans (Though Lupita Nyong'o is actually a Mexican-born Kenyan woman)
- 7 Latinos/Hispanics
- 2 Asians
- 0 Indigenous peoples (AGAIN).
Seriously. So don't come at me with the whole "well there just weren't qualified POCs to play the parts" because it's simply NOT true. White people get the parts, even if the part calls for a POC. And there are several POCs who can pull in a crowd! Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Will Smith, Halle Berry, etc.
It's not that hard guys. They just don't really care about being diverse.
Hence the reasons we should've been boycotting them all along, instead of just this time.
8. 8 People of Colour have won for Best Actor or Best Actress since the start of it all in 1929.
EIGHT.
Now, if you will, please follow me to Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. This time in Chronological order!
In 1939, Hattie McDaniels became the FIRST African American to win an Oscar. She won for her role as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind."
In 1952, Anthony Quinn became the first Latino/Hispanic to win an Oscar. He won for his role as Eufemio Zapata in "Viva Zapata!"
In 1956, Anthony Quinn won again for his role as Paul Gauguin in "Lust for Life."
In 1957, Miyoshi Umeki became the first Asian woman to win an Oscar. She won for her role as Katsumi in "Sayonara."
In 1961, Rita Moreno became the first Latina/Hispanic woman to win an Oscar. She won for her role as Anita in "West Side Story."
In 1982, Louis Gossett Jr became the first African American man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He won for his role as Sgt. Emil Foley in "An Officer and a Gentleman."
In 1984, Haing S. Ngor became the first Asian man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He won for his role as Dith Pran in "The Killing Fields."
In 1989, Denzel Washington won for his role as Pvt. Tripp in "Glory."
In 1990, Whoopi Goldberg won for her role as Oda Mae Brown in "Ghost."
In 1991, Mercedes Ruehl won for her role as Anne in "The Fisher King."
In 1996, Cuba Gooding Jr won for his role as Rod Tidwell in "Jerry Maguire."
In 2000, Benecio del Toro won for his role as Javier Rodriguez in "Traffic."
In 2004, Morgan Freeman won for his role as Eddie 'Scrap-Iron' Dupris in "Million Dollar Baby."
In 2006, Jennifer Hudson won for her role as Effie White in "Dreamgirls."
In 2007, Javier Bardem won for his role as Anton Chigurh in "No Country for Old Men."
In 2008, Penélope Cruz won for her role as Maria Elena in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
In 2009, Mo'Nique won for her role as Mary Lee Johnston in "Precious."
In 2011, Octavia Spencer won for her role as Minny Jackson in "The Help."
If you are thinking that 19 people of colour in this category is fine, even though that's 19 out of the past 87 years, you're a jerk.
Break down:
As a comparison: 67 White People have won Oscars for Best Supporting Actor/Actress versus the 19 People of Colour. 67 to 19.
Even better comparison: 79 White People have won Oscars for Best Actor/Actress versus 8 People of Colour.
And don't even get me started on how Hollywood has fucked over the LGBTQIA community while claiming to love them. That's a rant for another day (I'm looking at you "Danish Girl").
Here's what this boils down to, if you really want my opinion (of course you do, that's why you're reading this!):
If you look at the list of Best Supporting Actors/Actresses, the majority of those roles revolve around long held stereotypes against those minorities. That's what Hollywood gives Actors/Actresses of Colour. Stereotypes.
More often than not, you find an Actor/Actress of colour forced into a role that is stereotypical to their particular race. Or you find White actors/actresses who are playing a POC.
Mickey Rooney
Marlon Brando
Robert Downey Jr
Angelina Jolie
Mickey Rooney
Marlon Brando
Robert Downey Jr
Angelina Jolie
