This Article is From Feb 24, 2016

#OscarsSoWhite Debate Scores Big at the NAACP Image Awards

#OscarsSoWhite Debate Scores Big at the NAACP Image Awards

Taraji P Henson photographed at the 47th NAACP Image Awards on February 5. (Image Courtesy: AFP)

Los Angeles: As the Oscars diversity row after this year's nominations continues to heat up, the 47th annual NAACP Image Awards has tried to wipe out racial slurs from Hollywood by highlighting the power of diversity.

The NAACP Image Awards were held in the United States on February 5.

Anthony Anderson said: "Look at all of these beautiful shades of people in the audience. Hollywood needs to know that this is what diversity is supposed to look like."

As actress Taraji P Henson won the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Award, she said: "We don't have to ask for acceptance from anyone. We are enough and we've always been enough."

The awards ceremony, which honours people of colour in the entertainment industry, was held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium amid a widespread debate over racial inequality, reports latimes.com.

Director Spike Lee, who has said that he will not attend the Oscars, scheduled to be held on February 28, as part of a boycott to protest the lack of diversity in the major acting categories, was seen applauding singer John Legend for his emotional speech about racism.

"Although we have our own awards show, I just want the other ones to be fair. I just hope that they don't go overboard next year and nominate too much black stuff out of guilt," added Anthony Anderson. (Also Read: #OscarsSoWhite: Will Smith Says Awards 'Reflection of Social Regression')

John Legend called for "radical change" after winning the NAACP President's Award.

"I accept this award with deep humility and gratitude," John Legend said, and lamented a world in which "the colour of our skin conjures the image of threat and violence."

Here's the complete list of winners:

Entertainer of the Year: Michael B Jordan
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Michael B Jordan, Creed
Outstanding Motion Picture: Straight Outta Compton
Outstanding Drama Series: Empire
Outstanding Comedy Series: Black-ish
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Terrence Howard, Empire
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Taraji P Henson, Empire
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Sanaa Lathan, The Perfect Guy
President's Award: John Legend
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Mike Epps, Survivor's Remorse
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Marsai Martin, Black-ish
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Joe Morton, Scandal
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Regina King, American Crime
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Mara Brack Ali, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff, Being Mary Jane, Sparrow
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television): Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo, The Book of Negroes
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film): Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington, Creed
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Don Cheadle, House of Lies, The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: John Ridley, American Crime
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television): Dee Rees, Bessie
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film): Ryan Coogler, Creed
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film): Loretta Devine, Doc McStuffins
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) - Individual or Ensemble: Steve Harvey, Family Feud
Outstanding Talk Series: The Talk
Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series: Welcome to Sweetie Pie's
Outstanding Variety (Series or Special): Family Feud
Outstanding Children's Program: Doc McStuffins
Outstanding TV-Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: The Wiz Live!
Outstanding Actor in a TV-Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: David Alan Grier, The Wiz Live!
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