Critics' Choice Awards Creates Heightened Discussion About the 2016 Award Season's Lack of Diversity

The 21st annual Critics Choice Awards took place last night and became a part of the buzzing conversation surrounding this year’s lack of diversity in major award show nominations and winnings. According to Time, Idris Elba won for his role in Luther, making him the only Black person to take home an award. N.W.A biopic ‘Straight Out of Compton’ was noticably overlooked, only gaining a nomination for best acting ensemble and ultimately losing to ‘Spotlight.’ “They got snubbed, but there are lots of other great films that got snubbed as well,” said Neil Brown Jr who played DJ Yella in the film. “Just everybody talking about it is enough of an Oscar for us,” he added. Black-Ish stars Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross used humor to address the issue while presenting at the event. “A lot of actors who win the Critics’ Choice go on to win the Academy Award,” said Anderson when presenting an early award with Ross. “For you, Tracy, that means only half of you gets to go to the awards.” Chris Rock, host of this year’s Oscars also joked about the lack of diversity calling the award show the “White BET awards.” Don Cheadle responded to Rock’s joke via Twitter saying, “@chrisrock Yo, Chris. Come check me out at #TheOscars this year. They got me parking cars on G level.” The stars join a growing list of celebrities that are speaking out against the lack of diversity since Thursday’s announcement of Academy Award nominees that included no African-Americans. Jada Pinkett Smith spoke out via her Facebook page saying that she would not be watching or attending the Academy Awards. Spike Lee was another celeb that took to Facebook to speak about the oversight saying, “I Would Like To Thank President Cheryl Boone Isaacs And The Board Of Governors Of The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts And Sciences For Awarding Me an Honorary Oscar This Past November. I Am Most Appreciative. However My Wife, Mrs. Tonya Lewis Lee And I Will Not Be Attending The Oscar Ceremony This Coming February. We Cannot Support It And Mean No Disrespect To My Friends, Host Chris Rock and Producer Reggie Hudlin, President Isaacs And The Academy. But, How Is It Possible For The 2nd Consecutive Year All 20 Contenders Under The Actor Category Are White?” What are your thoughts on the controversy? Is it expected, an outrage or just incentive to start our own traditions as Jada Pinkett-Smith suggested? Let us know.