Twitter backlash: #OscarsSoWhite mocks lack of diversity among Oscar nominees
Social media users have lashed out at the Academy Awards’ lack of nominee diversity by adopting the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.
12 Years a Slave excelled at the 2014 awards
The social movement emerged after the academy snubbed non-white actors contrasting with 2014's event which saw black director Steven McQueen win best director for 12 Years a Slave followed by Lupita Nyong’o picking up best supporting actress for her role in the film.
The lack of diversity in the 2015 awards was a point of contention for Twitter users with white males taking home the vast majority of prizes since the Oscars’ inception in 1927.
The diversity gap in the Academy Awards via @WritersofColour #Oscars2014 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/LvnOUZ2H3d
— Amélie Koulanda (@akoulanda) March 2, 2014
The LA Times also reported that the diversity issue not only plagues the nominees - but the voters. The voting group is reportedly 94 per cent Caucasian and 77 per cent male.
Twitter users mocked this year’s selection, while others chastised the absence of Selma from the nominations.
Apparently to @TheAcademy, in 2015, only the stories (some made up) of white people are relevant. #OscarsSoWhite pic.twitter.com/ZQFfV1hQSt
— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they prefaced each nomination with, "I'm not racist, but..."
— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite Even Black-tie attire is frowned on.
— Kujichagulia (@iRondrea) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they snubbed "The Lego Movie" because Lego people are yellow.
— Edward McClelland (@TedMcClelland) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite the only time a Black person is nominated, let alone wins, is if they're in a role as a slave or the help.
— QUEEN OF DRAGS (@wjlly2) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they selling #AllNomineesMatter tees in the atrium
— rell (@Awkward_Duck) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite they let a grand jury decide the nominations
— Kwintin Jiffirsin (@Kwenten75) January 15, 2015
#OscarsSoWhite They didn't see Selma but their housekeeper said it was really good.
— Fed-Up Birthday Girl (@thewayoftheid) January 15, 2015
Movie lovers were also shocked of the absence of the Lego Movie from the Oscar nominations list. The Lego Movie director Philip Lord congratulated his crew by tweeting a Lego-built Oscar.
It's okay. Made my own! pic.twitter.com/kgyu1GRHGR
— philip lord (@philiplord) January 15, 2015
This is not a tragedy. Congrats to incredible crew and cast of The Lego Movie, who made a classic.
— philip lord (@philiplord) January 15, 2015
The social backlash emerged days after leaked agency documents showed that the $5.5m was to be invested in marketing the Oscars 2015 - with $500,000 reportedly set aside for social media promotions.