The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
In solidarity with Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook video recording that addresses the (un)fairness in the nominations at the Oscars and calls upon people of colour (POC) to make programmes for themselves that acknowledge them in ways that they see fit and that are just as good as the so-called mainstream, Oscar award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o took to her Instagram account and posted:
“I am disappointed by the lack of inclusion in this year’s Academy Awards nomination. It has me thinking about unconscious prejudice and what merits prestige in our culture.
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 arts have to offer today.
I stand with my peers who are calling for change in expanding the stories that are told and recognition of the people who tell them.”
The post was, however, not received well some of the fans who thought it hypocritical of her that she did not have much to say when she was nominated and won an Oscar last year. “Lupita seriously did not expect this from you!! Not every single little thing has to be about RACE AND COLOUR,” one of the comments posted read in part.
Yet another fan went on to insinuate that POC – not just black actors – are lacking in acting opportunities hence the lack of nomination:
“Would white people be raising an eyebrow if ALL the Oscar nominations for this year’s Oscars were for people of colour? I think so.
BET awards were brought about because of lack of recognition of people of colour in the mainstream. I agree there are bigger problems to worry about but I do think we have an issue here. I think the problem is that people of colour have a lack of opportunity for good acting roles, hence the lack of nominations.”
However, some of her fans were quick to defend her.
“I’m being realistic. Hollywood cares more about the White A-list celebs and if you want to send a message they have to be involved or don’t bother. The civil rights movement had a lot of white peoples’ support in order to gel the movement. This is America. That’s how it works.”
In an angry outburst, a Tanzanian fan went on to say; “those awards mean nothing if you asked me. They gave them to my boy and after he vanished and ended up making stupid movies... I mean Cuba Jr.”
Many black actors, including Jada, have vowed to boycott the Academy Awards, with the likes of Spike Lee being vocal about it.
