The Oscars and African Americans

As we approach the Oscars next week, I must reflect on the history on the award. In the 84 years of the Oscars, there has only been 13 African American winners. Of that 13, only one female has one in the Best Actress category and that is Halle Berry. A role I did not particularly care for.

Here is the list of the 12 winners. I want you to take a look at the length of time between them. Here are a couple of examples. It was 51 years between Hattie McDaniel and Whoopi Goldberg. It was 39 years between Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington. 

At another time, we will discuss the times they were nominated and did not win. The first one that comes to mind is Denzel Washington for Malcolm X. He was robbed that year. The second one that comes to mind is Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne for What's Love Got to Do With It? Robbed!!!

Here is the list:
Hattie McDaniel: Gone With the Wind: 1940: Best Supporting Actress
Sidney Poitier: Lillies of the Field: 1963: Best Actor
Louis Gossett Jr: An Officer and a Gentleman: 1982: Best Supporting Actor
Denzel Washington: Glory: 1989: Best Supporting Actor
Whoopi Goldberg: Ghost: 1991: Best Supporting Actress
Cuba Gooding Jr: Jerry Maguire: 1996: Best Supporting Actor
Halle Berry: Monster's Ball: 2001: Best Actress
Denzel Washington: Training Day: 2002: Best Actor
Jamie Foxx: Ray: 2004: Best Actor
Morgan Freeman: Million Dollar Baby: 2004: Best Supporting Actor
Forest Whitaker: The Last King of Scotland: 2006: Best Actor
Jennifer Hudson: Dreamgirls: 2006: Best Supporting Actress

Monique: Precious: 2009: Best Supporting Actress

Of course over the years, there have been many that have won for other categories like best original song, best soundtrack and the like.

Should we be concerned about this list or has the Oscars done right by African Americans?

Jema