Kristen Warner

Associate Professor

Kristen Warner is an associate professor at Cornell University who studies the impact of racial representation in the performing arts. She highlights the shutout of Ava DuVernay’s “Origin” across the board, as well as racial politics of the Oscars.

Warner says:

 “The Academy membership could not find a nomination anywhere near Ava DuVernay or her movie ‘Origin’. The best actress category is not stacked in a way that signals a tight race, so Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor could have been on the list. That the film didn’t so much as acquire a crumb in any category signals a bombastic reverberation about how the membership feels – which is more than a sting.

“What makes this shutout feel a bit pernicious is that six (deserving) Black actors were nominated, stifling any criticism, because as far as the membership is concerned the bases are ‘covered’. Cord Jefferson received a writing nod in adapted screenplay. Bases covered. Best director was always likely going to be a shutout.”