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Black VoicesvoicesHollywoodoscars so white

18 Times Black Actors Nailed Why We Need Representation In Film

Breaking it down.
Zeba Blay

Senior Culture Writer, HuffPost

Over the past few weeks, the conversation surrounding diversity and inclusion in Hollywood has reached a boiling point, thanks in part to the popularity of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. More and more black people in Hollywood are calling out the lack of representation in film and television -- from Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, to Idris Elba and Lupita Nyong'o.

Below are just a few of the important quotes from the best black actors in Hollywood, breaking down why representation is so important, and how Hollywood needs to change:

1
Mo'Nique
The Huffington Post
On the myth that there "can only be one" black star at a time.
2
Ice Cube
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On his move "Straight Outta Compton" being shut out of Oscar noms.
3
Viola Davis
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On the importance of redefining what it means to be black.
4
Sanaa Lathan
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On how Hollywood marginalizes films with black leads.
5
David Oyelowo
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On why Oscar nominations for black people do matter.
6
Tonya Pinkins
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On the need for black perspectives when telling black stories.
7
Will Smith
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On wife Jada Pinkett Smith's Oscar boycott.
8
Gabrielle Union
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On why the issue of diversity goes beyond black and white.
9
Oprah Winfrey
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On the need for more diverse stories about African-Americans.
10
Idris Elba
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On the entertainment industry's lack of imagination.
11
Halle Berry
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On the fact that she's still the only black woman to win a Best Actress Academy Award.
12
Chris Rock
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On the lack of black women in Hollywood.
13
Jada Pinkett Smith
The Huffington Post
On why she's boycotting this year's Oscars.
14
Amandla Stenberg
The Huffington Post
On how seeing yourself in the media affects your identity.
15
Kerry Washington
The Huffington Post
On representation as political statements.
16
Octavia Spencer
The Huffington Post
On the importance of color-blind casing.
17
Nate Parker
The Huffington Post
On acting roles for black men.
18
Lupita Nyong'o
The Huffington Post
On how representation gave her the confidence to become an actress.

Also on HuffPost:

John Leguizamo On The Antidote To 'Hollywouldn't' Stereotypes

16 Times Latinos Were Brutally Honest About Hollywood’s Lack Of Diversity

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Zeba Blay - Senior Culture Writer, HuffPost

Senior Culture Writer, HuffPost