Academy Awards make history with 7 black winners
Oscars aren’t so white anymore.
After three years of #OscarsSoWhite trending on social media, this year’s Academy Awards saw a new hashtag: #OscarsSoBlack.
While it was historic that seven black men and women took home an Oscar on Sunday, many of those winners made history themselves.
Mahershala Ali: Ali is the first black actor to win two Oscars for best supporting actor. His first was for "Moonlight." This year's award was for his portrayal of classical pianist Don Shirley in "Green Book."
Ruth Carter: Carter is the first African-American to an Academy Award for costume design. Carter gave the characters in Atlanta-filmed "Black Panther" incredible style with her Afro-futuristic wardrobe designs.
Hannah Beachler: Beachler is the first African-American to take home the Oscar for production design. She brought the kingdom of Wakanda to life for "Black Panther."
Peter Ramsey: Ramsey made Oscars history Sunday as the first black winner for best animated feature. He co-directed "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."
The other three award winners were Regina King, best supporting actress for "If Beale Street Could Talk"; and Spike Lee and Kevin Willmott, best adapted screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman."
» Spike Lee's Oscar journey started at Morehouse and Clark Atlanta
» President Donald Trump goes after Spike Lee over Oscars speech
» Atlanta-filmed 'Black Panther' takes home 3 Academy Awards
Billy Porter also turned heads in a first — by wearing a gown on the red carpet. Yes, “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone wore dresses to the 2000 Oscars, but they did so as a joke. Porter had fashion designer Christian Siriano create his tux on top/gown couture piece.
The awards show even had a civil rights icon as a presenter. U.S. Rep. John Lewis took the stage to introduce a clip from "Green Book," which went on to win best picture.
He received a standing ovation when he walked onto the stage.
“I can bear witness that the portrait of that time and place in our history is very real. It is seared in my memory,” Lewis said.
“Our nation bears the scars of that time, as do I,” said the human rights advocate, who was beaten by troopers at the infamous Bloody Sunday march in Alabama.
» Listen: 'Black Panther' and Georgia-filmed movies nominated for Oscars
» 'Green Book' producers thrilled by win, downplay controversy
Twitter users were quick to share their feelings on the historic night.
We can't get over Congressman John Lewis' #Oscars speech! pic.twitter.com/OIwARfLi1P
— Access (@accessonline) February 25, 2019
Black Power at the #Oscars #OscarsSoBlack pic.twitter.com/EQr49epNEf
— K.A. Holmes (@KimWrites4U) February 26, 2019
HBCU Alumni Winners at Oscars. Ruth Carter, Hampton University and Spike Lee@HBCUBuzz @RespectHBCUs @mcparegion1 @morehouse_nyc @HUTaskForce @_HamptonU #Oscars2019 #Oscars #OscarsSoBlack #winners #BlackPanther #BlackGirlMagic #BlackBoyJoy pic.twitter.com/IOPihqpOjD
— HBCU Alum Gives (@HBCUGIVES) February 25, 2019
Congratulations again to all the Black Oscar Winners! #OscarsSoBlack #Oscarwinners2019 👍🏿🙏🏿👏🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/ICrxAI8eHO
— HankG (@hgilmore3) February 25, 2019
#BlackPanther had to come in and save #BlackHistoryMonth cause it's been a rough 24 days. Making us ALL remember who we are at these #Oscars tonight. #oscarssoblack
— Wendy Winfrey (@MoNificent11) February 25, 2019
So the #OscarsSoBlack that even the black version of Spider-Man won?? Loving it!!! pic.twitter.com/DCPiIkbRFM
— Cmae (@cmae76) February 25, 2019
Ruth Carter’s costume work was visionary. It’s influencing comics, fashion and more. I am so glad she won. Some of the best and most important costume work. #oscarssoblack #OSCARS pic.twitter.com/9qrtPx5OqU
— Elana Levin (@Elana_Brooklyn) February 25, 2019
So @TheAcademy is trying to save #BlackHistoyMonth for people of color with a night full of #diversity & #inclusion like never before! With the month Black people have had this year, this #OscarsSoBlack telecast is all good to me! #Oscars #BHM
— Jawn Murray (@JawnMurray) February 25, 2019
#oscarssoblack Winning literally everything !!!! pic.twitter.com/Lt0T7tv6jQ
— Alfonso (@AMWMajetic) February 25, 2019
Some people, however, thought the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took the cry for diversity and inclusion too far.
Blacks make up about 13% of the American population. But they make up about 50% of #theoscars2019 just a reminder that there are other races out there. #oscarssoblack
— Nina Cho (@Ninac4116) February 25, 2019
Are we supposed to celebrate this huge overcompensation of black presenters at the Oscars? 14% of the American population but at least 50% of the presenters.
— alfrdthegr8 (@alfrdthegr8) February 25, 2019
The Oscars production team (who are most likely entirely white) are just trying to get brownie points. #OscarsSoBlack
If #oscarssowhite was so bad and uninclusive what message are they trying to send with #oscarssoblack? Why should we celebrate this obvious overcompensation?
— Ronald Dorbson (@Dorbson) February 25, 2019
This is what you get when a group of people cry about not being represented... Did Academy take it too far? #oscarssoblack
— John Joseph (@PhillyHeckler) February 25, 2019
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
