The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, have painted a stark “white” canvas for this year’s Oscars.  For the second year in a row, zero African Americans and minorities were nominated for the four acting Oscar categories.  Zero.  Why is this?  Why are we looking into an abyss of white actors when there are numerous talented African American actors worthy of a nomination?

People, along with myself, were shocked by the lack of diversity in this year’s nominations.  Minority actors were completely and utterly left out this year.  What about “Straight Outta Compton” you ask?  A film chocked full of amazing, young African American acting talent?  No nominations for any of the African American talent.  Will Smith’s role in the widely talked about “Concussion”?  No nominations. Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson in “Creed”?  No nominations.  The list seems to go on and on.

I am not saying that the Academy is racist.  That is not the focus, that is not the problem.  The problem is that prominent film studios and agencies don’t see the diversity we have in the world around us.  We are surrounded by people of varying shapes, sizes, colors and ethnicities.  And yet nearly 75 percent of all movie roles in Hollywood go to white people, according to the LA Times.  Today’s movies need to reflect the real world and the diversity that accompanies it.  The AMPAS seems to be blind to the reality of the world around it.

It is also critical to keep in mind that this has happened two years in a row.  How can the AMPAS be of such high esteem when it is making critical mistakes year after year?  Luckily, steps are being made in the right direction courtesy of AMPAS president Cheryl Boone Isaacs.  Isaacs is African American and she announced the creation of A2020 which is a five year plan where the Academy will work closely with studios and agencies, broadening their mindset when hiring new talent.  But the question is how much of this will have an effect on film studios and executives.

It is critical that we educate and expand people’s minds on diversity and other minorities around us.  For two years in a row, the AMPAS isn’t taking into consideration worldwide diversity, resulting in one dimensional nominees.  We all know who will be winning all the prized Oscars that evening.  Caucasians.  But the winner for best lack of diversity and knowledge goes to the AMPAS.