On Thursday the nominations for the 2015 Academy Awards were announced. And for the first time since 1998, the nominees for all four acting categories were white. This didn't go unnoticed, as critics were quick to call out the snubbing of Selma and the dominance of straight, white male narratives in the Best Picture category.
That night, at the Critics' Choice Awards, Jessica Chastain received a special recognition for her work this year. And during her acceptance speech, she spoke about the diversity or lack thereof in Hollywood and how Hollywood needs to overcome it.
"Today is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, so it got me thinking about our need to build the strength of diversity in our industry, and to stand together against homophobic, sexist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic and racist agendas," Chastain said. "Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.' and I would like to encourage everyone in this room to please speak up. Thank you."
