Take that Academy (Signed SAG): Blacks highly recognized in guild award show
buzzz worthy. . .
By Mona Austin
Blacks were honored for their accomplished works in several major categories at the 22nd Annual SAG Awards last Sunday night--an outcome that will be impossible at this year's upcoming Oscars. As two of the earliest airing award ceremonies, the Golden Globes and SAGs usually foreshadow what is to happen at the Oscars. That is not the case this year. There is not even a remote possibility we'll see a similar string of actors and actresses on the Oscar red carpet, in the audience as nominees or on the stage as winners when it airs on Sunday, February 28 at 4 PM Eastern on ABC. Not a chance.
The Academy Awards is currently limping back into the good graces of frustrated Black movie goers after crippling its own reputation by seemingly discriminating against some of the most stellar Black talent in Hollywood. Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaac, a Black woman in a statement said the organization is overhauling its practices to encourage more diversity on its ballots in the future after actress Jada Pinkett Smith launched an online revolt and offline boycott in response to the organization shunning the work of Black talent in major categories on its ballot for the second year in a row.
Idris Elba made history at the show double time. Along with being the very first male to take home two SAG trophies in one night, the 43-year-old actor is the first black person to do so, reports E! Online. Elba accepted the award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for 'Beasts of No Nation' as well as the trophy for Best Male Actor in a Television Movie or Mini Series for 'Luther.' Other Blacks earning 2016 SAGs include Viola Davis ("How to Get Away With Murder"), Queen Latifah ("Bessie"), and Uzo Adubah ("Orange is the New Black).
SAG honorees were a more balanced and realistic lot--not because a large proportion of Blacks won, but because not all the winners were white. The dominance of Blacks at the SAGS is proof of how off the mark the Oscars were from a fairness standpoint.
See the full list of winners below.
Drama Ensemble: Downton Abbey
Comedy Ensemble: Orange Is the New Black
Actor -- Drama: Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Actress -- Drama: Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
Actor -- Comedy: Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Actress -- Comedy: Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Actor -- Miniseries or TV Movie: Idris Elba, Luther
Actress -- Miniseries or TV Movie: Queen Latifah, Bessie
FILM Ensemble: Spotlight
Lead Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Lead Actress: Brie Larson, Room
Supporting Actor: Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
By Mona Austin
The SAG Awards picked up the Academy Awards' slack in its recognition of Blacks in film this year
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| Idris Elba receives the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Beasts of No Nation' onstage during The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. |
Blacks were honored for their accomplished works in several major categories at the 22nd Annual SAG Awards last Sunday night--an outcome that will be impossible at this year's upcoming Oscars. As two of the earliest airing award ceremonies, the Golden Globes and SAGs usually foreshadow what is to happen at the Oscars. That is not the case this year. There is not even a remote possibility we'll see a similar string of actors and actresses on the Oscar red carpet, in the audience as nominees or on the stage as winners when it airs on Sunday, February 28 at 4 PM Eastern on ABC. Not a chance.
The Academy Awards is currently limping back into the good graces of frustrated Black movie goers after crippling its own reputation by seemingly discriminating against some of the most stellar Black talent in Hollywood. Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaac, a Black woman in a statement said the organization is overhauling its practices to encourage more diversity on its ballots in the future after actress Jada Pinkett Smith launched an online revolt and offline boycott in response to the organization shunning the work of Black talent in major categories on its ballot for the second year in a row.
Idris Elba made history at the show double time. Along with being the very first male to take home two SAG trophies in one night, the 43-year-old actor is the first black person to do so, reports E! Online. Elba accepted the award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for 'Beasts of No Nation' as well as the trophy for Best Male Actor in a Television Movie or Mini Series for 'Luther.' Other Blacks earning 2016 SAGs include Viola Davis ("How to Get Away With Murder"), Queen Latifah ("Bessie"), and Uzo Adubah ("Orange is the New Black).
SAG honorees were a more balanced and realistic lot--not because a large proportion of Blacks won, but because not all the winners were white. The dominance of Blacks at the SAGS is proof of how off the mark the Oscars were from a fairness standpoint.
See the full list of winners below.
2016 SAG Award Winners
TELEVISIONDrama Ensemble: Downton Abbey
Comedy Ensemble: Orange Is the New Black
Actor -- Drama: Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Actress -- Drama: Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
Actor -- Comedy: Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Actress -- Comedy: Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Actor -- Miniseries or TV Movie: Idris Elba, Luther
Actress -- Miniseries or TV Movie: Queen Latifah, Bessie
FILM Ensemble: Spotlight
Lead Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Lead Actress: Brie Larson, Room
Supporting Actor: Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
