The Academy Awards is known for its lack of diversity, especially this year for snubbing the film Selma’s director and lead actor. For the second time since 1998, the Oscars nomination slots were full of only white actors. A protest over the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards was called off at the last-minute at the request of Selma’s director Ava DeVernay. The LA chapter of the National Action Network(NAN), which is founded by Al Sharpton, had planned to protest outside of the ceremony but eventually was canceled.
“Upon the request of Selma director Ava DuVernay, the Los Angeles chapter of the National Action Network has agreed to forgo our planned protests of the Oscars today and pursue instead a direct dialogue with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences via Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Dawn Hudson,” said NAN’s Political Director Najee Ali.
Last night, John Legend and Common won the Oscar for “Best Original Song” for the film Selma.The performance recreated the bridge scene in the film with members of the choir that sounded amazing; while Common rapped his verse and Legend sung his verse and the hook. After an emotional performance of “Glory,” the two accepted their award with an even more powerful speech. During the speech, Common and John Legend spoke out against the incarceration rate of black men, struggle for rights, and justice for all.
“The spirit of this bridge connects the kid from the South Side of Chicago, dreaming of a better life, to those in France standing up for their freedom of expression, to those in Hong Kong, protesting for democracy. This bridge was built on hope, welded with compassion and elevated with love for all human beings.” said Common.
“We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised now in this country today. We know that now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today then were under slavery in 1850.” said John Legend.
The powerful and emotional speech left a few movie stars teary-eyed, even Chris Pine could not hold back his tears.
Check out the performance above.
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