Enough is enough for the Oscars. In the middle of one of the worst flaps in Oscar history comes news that neither rapper/producer Ice Cube nor any of the cast of Straight Outta Compton were even invited to the Academy Awards. In all their infinite wisdom, the members of the Academy didn't think that Ice Cube or any of the rest of the cast deserved to even sit in the building and watch the awards ceremony.
According to Wikipedia, Straight Outta Compton tells the tale of the rise of controversial rap group NWA in the late 80's. The film, which was well reviewed and earned over $160 million at the box office, was considered by most to be a Best Picture contender. Everyone but the Academy thought this film deserved attention. In a year with no nominations for anyone of color, the Academy has chosen to ignore a film about one of rap's legendary groups. It also is a film in which the poor and the minorities of Compton are a part of the story. All of this has suggested to people that the Academy has been in a cultural closet for a very, very long time. Founding NWA member, Ice Cube, has made a number of popular movies and become an important figure in the movie industry.
The true irony of the whole ordeal is that one of the most indifferent people to the Oscar flap is Ice Cube. According to Variety online, Cube went on The Graham Norton Show and had this to say about the controversy, "I never used to go anyway. You can't boycott something you you never went to. We don't do movies for the industry. We do movies for the fans, for the people. If the industry gives you a trophy or not, or pats you on the back or not, it's nice, but it's not something you should dwell on."
