Kenyan artistes in US back Oscars boycott

Kenyan actors, actresses and musicians based in the US have supported the boycott of this year's Oscars slated for the end of February in Hollywood.

Actor Adetokumboh McCormack who honed his skills at Rusinga School before settling in Los Angeles, said he was very disappointed by the lack of diversity among this year's Oscars' nominees.

"There are not enough people writing for minorities. There are a tonne of incredibly talented minority actors but they never get the chance to showcase their talents because simply put - the roles are just not there," he said adding that it is in part due to the lack of diversity among writers and creative executives who make the films.

Also speaking about the lack of diversity at the Oscars for two years in a row were members of the Kenyan cultural troupe Jabali Afrika who have been in the US for over two decades.

They said it was very courageous of Lupita Nyong'o to speak in the manner she did to support.

"Sometimes in such situations if you are a johnny-come-lately you are afraid to burn your bridges," said Joseck Asikoye, the group leader from their Winter tour of Seattle in Washington.

He said discrimination also existed within the music industry and that it was crucial to point it out.

Actor and filmmaker Ofemi Ofemi Kaunga, who is pursuing a doctorate at the Indiana University and has been in the US for the last decade and a half, agreed with the boycott.

"By the way, the snub has nothing to do with the artistic performance of black performers or the colour of their skin, but rather about the control of cinematic knowledge production in America," adding that it is both a discourse of knowledge and a discourse of power, and White men controlling the two get to decide.

Adetokumboh agrees,:"I do however, feel the need to point out that amid this controversy, some of these nominated performances were indeed truly stellar."

The remarks came as Will Smith joined his wife Jada Pinkett in boycotting the Oscars.

"So, when I see this list and series of nominations that come out, everybody is fantastic, and that's the complexity of this issue. Everyone is beautiful and deserving, but it feels like it's going the wrong direction," said Smith.

In a swift reaction, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors in a unanimous vote on Thursday night, approved a sweeping series of changes.