And while the Oscars are being handed out this weekend, a star-studded cast of African-American actors, musicians and filmmakers will throw a free event in Flint, Michigan. Flint has been in the national spotlight over lead poisoning in its water, which stemmed from an unelected emergency manager’s decision to switch the city’s water to the corrosive Flint River. The Oscars have also been the center of media scrutiny over the whiteness of the nominees, after no actors of color were nominated for a second year in a row. While movies about African Americans like “Straight Outta Compton” and “Creed” received nominations, they went to the white writers of “Straight Outta Compton” and white actor Sylvester Stallone for “Creed”; the African-American directors and non-white actors were excluded. “Creed” director and co-writer Ryan Coogler will attend the #JUSTICEFORFLINT event on Oscar night, as will “Selma” director Ava DuVernay, who was passed over for a best director nomination last year. Other attendees will include “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams, musician Janelle Monáe and comedian Hannibal Buress.
Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler, Janelle Monáe & More to Hold Event in Flint on Oscar Night
HeadlineFeb 24, 2016