Racism In Oscars Essay

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Recommended: The effects of Jim Crow laws

Oscars Racist? Are the Oscars racist? The first black person to win an Oscar happened when Jim Crow laws took effect and didn’t allow black actors to attend movie premiere’s. Winning roles are stereotypical. Minority lead actors must portrait famous people to win a Leading Actor/Actress role. Another reason why the Oscars might be racist is there is no diversity amongst voting members. Now we shall take a deeper look into what evidence shall back up this claim that the Oscars might be racist.
A two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman feels there’s a systemic racial issue in America that isn’t just seen in the Oscars. For the 2016 Oscars, a group of people (not just minority) chose to not attend the Oscars. Choosing to boycott the show after a second year in a row where there was a lack of diversity among Oscar nominees. Hoffman with others such as Spike Lee and Tracy Morgan decided to spend their time at the Knicks game during the award show. Dressed up in their tuxedo’s, when Hoffman was asked about the Oscars he stated that “it’s always been racism. It’s kind of a reflection of what the country is”
In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first black person to win an Oscar for her role as a maid in Gone with the Wind. She was not able to attend the movies premiere due to Jim Crow laws …show more content…

For Actresses 89% were white, 9% black, and 3% Hispanic. Although there are not many African American Actors and Actress which has been the film industries claim to why not many African Americans have been nominated for an Oscar. Statistics show that for Actors there are 64% white, 12% black, 17% Hispanic, 5% Asian and 3% other. Where on the Actress side 64% white, 13% black, 16% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 3% other. These are the claims that studio heads and other major actors in the industry have stood by to stop the boycotts on the award

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