Pepperdine Graphic

Oscars

Oscars Noms Usher in Minority Excellence

by

Image Courtesy of the BSAThis years Oscar nominations are so refreshing and diverse coming off last year's “Oscars so White” scandal. As a young actress of color, this is so empowering and motivating to see.Often, I get asked what my "type" is, meaning which actresses with whom I compare. That question has always been difficult because there are few actresses … [Read more...] about Oscars Noms Usher in Minority Excellence

Hollywood Must Diversify

by

Art by Christine Nelson The Oscar statuette is not gold this year, but pale. Every single actor nominated is white. To some ceremony invitees, such as Jada Pinkett Smith, this disproportionate distribution was so unfair as to warrant a boycott of the ceremony altogether. While I certainly understand their sentiments, boycotters pick the wrong target and thus do their cause, … [Read more...] about Hollywood Must Diversify

California Dream – Currents Magazine Fall 2015

by

Photo by Veronica Johnson I begged to stay up past midnight on a school night to watch the Oscars. I even cried. After all, it was Oscar Sunday, and I was 9 years old. My parents allowed it. The speeches dragged. The gowns twirled. My pajama nightgown didn’t quite have the same glamorous effect. I awaited the champagne. Starlets’ teeth were whiter than those of toothpaste … [Read more...] about California Dream – Currents Magazine Fall 2015

During the Oscars, Remember the Foreign Film

by

Photo Courtesy of Prayitno//Creative CommonsWith the Oscars around the corner, many people in the country wait with bated breath to see which actors, directors and films will be exalted by the Academy. A night of highest recognition, films reaching the level of even a nomination must be poignant, thought-provoking, historically or contemporarily illuminating, or even … [Read more...] about During the Oscars, Remember the Foreign Film