(Image of Chris Rock courtesy of ABCNews.go.com)
30 years ago, while presenting at the 58th annual Academy Awards, Eddie Murphy boldly and confidently spoke these prolific words:
“I just feel we had to be recognized as a people…I will give this award, but black people will not ride the caboose of society, and we will not bring up the rest anymore.”
This past Oscar season, we witnessed for a second consecutive year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honor and distribute film’s highest honor to a pool of all-white nominees with great delight. Hosted by Chris Rock, #OscarsSoWhite drew heavy criticism, including a boycott by Rev. Al Sharpton, filmmaker Spike Lee, and actors Will and Jada Smith. Directors Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler chose to produce and broadcast a #JusticeForFlint benefit, and the Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs addressed the ‘elephant in the room’ and called for a greater inclusion of POC from the entire Hollywood community.
But, instead of sitting round waiting to be included, we’ve decided to honor our brothers whose outstanding talents have landed them the coveted gold statue. From Sidney Poitier (the first black man to win a Best Actor trophy) to Prince (the first black winner for Best Original Score), we salute our favorite African American Academy Award winners from the past to the present!
Sidney Poitier, Best Actor for Lilies of the Field, 1964.
(Source: Record Online)
Louis Gossett, Jr., Best Supporting Actor for An Officer and a Gentleman, 1983.
(Source: Oscars.org)
Denzel Washington, Best Supporting Actor for Glory, 1990 + Best Actor for Training Day, 2002.
(Source: Pop Sugar 2)
Cuba Gooding, Jr., Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire, 1997.
(Source: Reuters)
Jamie Foxx, Best Actor for Ray, 2005.
(Source: Star Times)
Morgan Freeman, Best Supporting Actor for Million Dollar Baby, 2005.
(Source: Hollywood Reporter)
Forest Whitaker, Best Actor for The Last King of Scotland, 2006.
(Source: AMPAS)
Steve McQueen, Best Motion Picture (Producer) for 12 Years A Slave, 2013.
(Source: Huff Post Entertainment)
Geoffrey Fletcher, Best Adapted Screenplay for Precious, 2009.
(Source: AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
John Ridley, Best Adapted Screenplay for 12 Years A Slave, 2013.
(Source: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Common and John Legend, Best Original Song for “Glory” from Selma, 2015.
(Source: Pop Sugar)
Three 6 Mafia, Best Original Song for “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from Hustle & Flow, 2005.
(Source: Getty Images)
Lionel Richie, Best Song for “Say You, Say Me” from White Nights, 1985.
(Source: Pop Sugar)
Prince, Best Original Song Score for Purple Rain, 1984.
(Source: The Comeback)
It’s our normal to be extraordinary. Follow @blackenterprise and join the BE Modern Man conversation using #BEModernMan.