'Nominate to Discriminate' (Open Letter Poem to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Regarding Their Problematic Oscar Nominations)



Black Trans Women's Lives Matter organizer Ashley Love congratulating actor David Oyelowo for his exemplary performance as Martin Luther King in 'Selma' during the post-Golden Globes festivities

 
Nominate to Discriminate
by Ashley Love
 
 
(An Open Letter Poem to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences Regarding Their Problematic Oscar Nominations)
 
 
The Academy’s Oscar actor nominations are all white this year

What is it about Black, Brown and Yellow that you fear?

David Oyelowo’s performance in Selma is the cream of the crop

'Selma' director Ava DuVernay's talent shines brightly on top

 
Yet your primarily all white male jury has shut them out

Seriously?  What are these "choices" truly about?

Is it studio politics, money related or a slap in the face?

Whatever the reasons, your actions are a total disgrace

 
Nominations were announced on Martin Luther King’s birthday

If he were alive I’m sure he’d have a whole lot to say

“I had a dream that awards would be based on merit alone,

That sinister politics and exclusion would not be condoned,

Jury demographics would accurately reflect the U.S. of A.,

This year at the Oscars will be a grey, colorless day”

 
The people are not accepting this diversity- lock-out

They’ve created #OscarsSoWhite, can you hear them shout?

Are you uncomfortable #BlackLivesMatter ain’t backing down?

Social justice movements shake this country’s ground

 
We don’t need golden statues to know our people’s worth

We’ve endured discrimination and ignorance ever since birth

Yet still we have organized to make the world a better place

For our resilience and spirit are blessed by God’s grace

 
All stories have value, be they Brown, Yellow or Black

Eyes of the enlightened behold the integrity you lack

It will take more than barring our heroes from your stage

To disempower the ever-growing resistance and rage

We’ll protest racism and police brutality until we see peace

From Selma to Ferguson, our movement will not cease

 
Enjoy the Oscars this year, though it’s truly a shame

To value politics before principle in this sham of a game

Goodbye and we hope that you can sleep well tonight

Sincerely, the People - fighting the good fight!
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