Oscar nominations recognize diversity, but still stir debate

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With many milestone nominations, the Oscar nominations this year are filled with the diversity that should have been present long ago.

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer

With many milestone nominations, the Oscar nominations this year are filled with the diversity that should have been present long ago.

A total of 76 women received nominations, the most ever. Among them, two female directors have been nominated in the same year for the first time. Chloé Zhao, who is also the first woman of color to be nominated for best director, was nominated for her work on Nomadland, and Emerald Fennell was nominated for her work on Promising Young Woman.

Many other advancements were made in nominations for the men as well. Steven Yeun is the first Asian American best actor nominee and was nominated for his role of Jacob in Minari. Riz Ahmed, who played Ruben Stone in Sound of Metal, is also the first Muslim nominated for best actor. With their nominations, it is the first time two Asian men were nominated for the award in the same year.

Chadwick Boseman joins the few actors who were nominated for an Academy Award after their death. This was also his first nomination, despite his performance as Jackie Robinson in 42, which many believed he should have been nominated for.

Among the many seconds, Quo Vadis, Aida? was nominated for best international feature film, making it the second Bosnian and Herzegovina movie recognized in this category. 

Though many progressive nominations have been made, many controversies arose as well. 

Many are in an uproar because Regina King was not nominated for best director for her film One Night in Miami. Delroy Lindo, who played Paul in Da 5 Bloods, was also labeled as snubbed. Many took to Twitter to share their outrage.

One of the biggest Oscar confusions concerned the nominees for best-supporting actor. 

Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield were both nominated for best supporting actor for their work in Judas and the Black Messiah. Many were confused by their nominations for the best-supporting actor category due to the fact that they were seen as the main characters in the film.

Overall, the Oscars have improved on inclusivity, but controversy will always follow.