#OscarsSoWhite Creator April Reign Says Nominees Still Not Diverse Enough

“#OscarsSoWhite was about more than just Black people,” activist writes on Twitter

Oscars Statues #OscarsSoWhite
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April Reign, the writer and activist behind the viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, says that while the 2017 Academy Award may feature more nominees of color, the list is still not representative of the population at large.

After two years of all-white acting and directing categories, the Academy Awards recognized six African-American actors this year. “Fences” stars Viola Davis and Denzel Washington, Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris of “Moonlight,” “Hidden Figures’” Octavia Spencer and “Loving’s” Ruth Negga all received nominations.

But Reign pointed out Tuesday that other people of color were not well represented. Aside from a Best Supporting Actor nomination for “Lion” star Dev Patel, other minority groups were left out.

“One year of films reflecting the Black experience doesn’t make up for 80 yrs of underrepresentation of ALL groups,” she wrote on Twitter Tuesday, calling out a news report that said this year’s nomination marked the end of the #OscarsSoWhite campaign.

“#OscarsSoWhite was about more than just Black people. How has it ended w/ no films reflecting other marginalized groups?” she wrote in a separate tweet.

Reign’s comments echo a statement put out by the Multi-Ethnic Media Coalition on Tuesday, which criticized the Oscars for omitting other minority groups, especially Latinos, Asian-Americans and Native Americans.

The coalition — which includes the National Hispanic Media Coalition, the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, American Indians in Film and Television and the NAACP Hollywood Bureau — called the nominations a “big disappointment.”

Since creating the hashtag in 2015, Reign has pushed for more recognition from the Academy for underrepresented groups, a campaign which included a boycott of last year’s ceremony led by Al Sharpton.

Those who opted out of the Chris Rock-hosted ceremony included Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, “Selma” director Ava DuVernay and director Spike Lee.

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