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The Oscars Are Still Playing the Same Race Card
Despite more racially diverse nominees than ever in 2021, the Academy Awards— and movies — remain largely segregated.
I know I should be applauding.
The ratio of White-to-BIPOC Academy Award nominees in the acting categories has never been tipped more in favor of diversity and inclusion than it is this year. When the ceremony takes place on April 25, the Oscars will be anything but #SoWhite.
Six of the 20 acting contenders are Black (including two Black Best Actress nominees for the first time since 1973), tying a record set in 2017 when Moonlight was named Best Picture. Last year, none of the Korean actors in the foreign-language Best Picture winner Parasite were nominated. This year, two Best Picture contenders (Minari and Sound of Metal) produced three acting nominees of Asian descent.
In other history-making news, two Best Director nominees are of Asian descent and two are women. The likely winner, China-born Chloé Zhao, who helmed Best Picture nominee Nomadland, is both. But is BIPOC talent truly overcoming in Hollywood? Three of the Best Picture nominees feature BIPOC performers in the central roles, yet I still feel like shrugging.
