David Oyelowo does not entirely agree with his peers who are calling for a boycott of the Academy Awards.
The Nigerian British actor who was denied the nomination last year for his role as Martin Luther King Jr in the biopic Selma said the Oscars remain relevant because it is the pinnacle of the acting profession.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oyelowo said, “The reason why the Oscars are so important is because it is the zenith, it is the epitome, it is the height of celebration of artistic endeavor within the filmmaking community.”
We grow up aspiring, dreaming, longing to be accepted into that august establishment because it is the height of excellence. I would like to walk away and say it doesn’t matter, but it does, because that acknowledgement changes the trajectory of your life, your career, and the culture of the world we live in.”
Oyelowo’s perspective rings a different tune from the response of director, Spike Lee, who received a honorary Oscar last year.
“For Too Many Years When The Oscars Nominations Are Revealed, My Office Phone Rings Off The Hook With The Media Asking Me My Opinion About The Lack Of African-Americans And This Year Was No Different,” Lee wrote in a Facebook post.
“For Once, (Maybe) I Would Like The Media To Ask All The White Nominees And Studio Heads How They Feel About Another All White Ballot,” he added.