*Sigh* Here we are again. Yep, a quick glance across all of the acting nominations will tell you that every single one of the 20 nominated is, for the second year in a row, white. Looking deeper into the nominations, and that continues to be the case. Which is, frankly, awful, but it's indicative of a problem with the Academy, and a wider problem within the industry. Yes, for a start, the Academy is mostly made up of old white men, and there are a few examples this year where you can find examples of people of colour - or at least films where they were the lead - who were perhaps deserving of a nomination: Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, Ryan Coogler, Samuel L. Jackson, Tangerine, Creed. So, yes, it's an issue there. But the problem starts before the ballots open. There are a handful of names and films mentioned above, but take them away, and there's not an awful lot left. If you went through every nomination, you wouldn't have too much trouble finding a white person to replace them. Black actors and filmmakers simply don't get the same opportunities. Only when the wider industry makes that change (and, well, for f**k's sake it's 2016) will the Oscars stop being so white. What did you think the Oscars got right? Any major snubs or surprises? Share your thoughts in the comments.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
