Lupita Nyong’o Joins Converstion About Lack of Oscar Diversity

Celebrity

 | January 21, 2016 | By Margo Gothelf

Lupita Nyong’o is the latest actress to speak out about the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar class.

Nyong’o, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the lack of diversity.

“The Awards should not dictate the terms of art in our modern society, but rather be a diverse reflection of the best of what our art has to offer today,” Nyong’o shared. “I stand with my peers who are calling for change in expanding the stories that are told and recognition of the people who tell them,” Nyong’o concluded.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin #manystoriesmanyvoices

A photo posted by Lupita Nyong’o (@lupitanyongo) on Jan 19, 2016 at 8:40pm PST

This is the second year in a row that The Academy has failed to recognize any person of color in the major acting categories. Nyong’o added she was “disappointed by the lack of inclusion” pointing out it gives a false representation of “what merits prestige in our culture.”

Nyong’o posted the picture with a caption from writer James Baldwin: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Nyong’o’s comments only add to the fire about the lack of diversity in the 2016 Oscar class. Tyrese Gibson, Spike Lee, and Jada Pinkett Smith have been very vocal about their frustrations and disappointment regarding the nominations. They have even called for a boycott of the ceremony.

George Clooney spoke out in an interview with Variety explaining that Hollywood is “moving in the wrong direction.” Selma’s David Oyelowo called the Academy’s action “unforgivable” regarding choosing all white actors for the second year in a row. Idris Elba even delivered a speech to the British Parliament about diversity in the media.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs wrote on Monday that she is “heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion.” Isaacs explained in a statement that it is a “difficult but important conversation, and it’s time for big changes.”

However, not everyone seems to be on the same page regarding the idea of an Oscar boycott. Clueless actress Stacey Dash went so far to call for the abolition of Black History Month in light of all the Oscar backlash during a segment on Fox and Friends. 

“We have to make up our minds,” said Dash. “Either we want to have segregation or integration. And if we don’t want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET and the BET Awards and the Image Awards where you’re only awarded if you’re black. If it were the other way around, we would be up in arms. It’s a double standard.”