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Lupita Nyong’o Speaks Out About #OscarsSoWhite Controversy

Written by

Val Powell

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Academy Award-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o has also spoken out about this year’s Oscars’ lack of diversity.

There hasn’t been any black actors nominated for any category since last year. Nyong’o, who won a Best Supporting Actress Award in 2014 for her work in 12 Years a Slave, took to Instagram on Tuesday to criticize the Academy for “the lack of inclusion” in this year’s ceremony.

“I am disappointed by the lack on inclusion in this year’s Academy Award nominations,” Lupita Nyong’o wrote.

“It has me thinking about unconscious prejudice and what merits prestige in our culture,” she continued.

She added, “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. I stand with my peers who are calling for change in expanding the stories that are told and the recognition of the people who tell them.”

Lupita Nyong’o is the latest actor to weigh in on this controversy. Jada Pinkett-Smith previously called fellow actors to boycott the Oscars because of the absence of black nominees. Nyong’o has not confirmed whether or not she will attend the ceremony.

Other celebrities have also shared their thoughts on the growing debate. Director Spike Lee said he will not be attending the awards night through a Facebook post he wrote on MLK day.

Lee, who holds an honorary Oscar, said in his post: “40 White Actors In 2 Years And No Flava At All. We Can’t Act?!”

British actor Idris Elba, who received a number recognition for his work in Beast of No Nation was not even nominated for an award.

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaac released a statement in response to Lupita Nyong’o and her fellow actors’ complaints.  “We have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years. But the change is not coming as fast as we would like. We need to do more, and better and more quickly.”

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