By Tadeniawo Collins
For the first time since 1998, nominees for this year’s Academy Awards were announced earlier today, January 15, 2015 and there is no single African American actor or actress among the nominees.
This is pretty strange given that the year in consideration (2014) is one in which several so-called coloured actors and actresses gave such captivating and commanding performances in different roles and movies.
Denzel Washington in The Equalizer; Idris Elba in No Good Deed; Michael Jai-White in Falcon Rising; Zoe Saldana and Djimon Hounsou in Guardians of the Galaxy; Bokeem Woodbine in Jarhead 2…these are just but a few among several one would think should or could have been considered for at least a nomination – especially Denzel and Idris!
While we may not know the technicalities that surround the final shortlist and selection of thespians to nominate in the awards also widely known as the Oscars, it still leaves a sour taste in the mouth to think that with all the array of coloured acts, not even one is being considered for the prestigious award this year. Can’t help but feel there’s foul play here somewhere now, can we?
The 87th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is scheduled to take place on February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
