Here’s where celebrities went instead of the Oscars
If you missed this year's Oscars, you're in good company.

As #OscarsSoWhite and a recent study have made clear, Hollywood has a serious diversity problem. For the second year in row, none of the 20 Academy Award nominations for acting went to actors of color, even though there were plenty of possible nominees. In response, many celebrities chose to boycott the Oscars ceremony.
A variety of African-American creatives went a step further: they skipped the Oscars in favor of Justice for Flint, a free benefit concert and rally in support of the victims of Flint, Michigan’s ongoing water crisis. This crisis has disproportionately affected people of color and serves to symbolize the continued presence of institutional racism in America. The event raised over $100,000, with people still making donations after the concert ended.
To think, on the same night, we're honoring best Lead Performance and worst lead performance. #Oscars #JusticeForFlint
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) February 29, 2016
I'm assuming Hollywood is working on a #JusticeForFlint movie starring Jennifer Lawrence & Bradley Cooper. BEST PICTURE NOMINEE 2017 #Oscars
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) February 29, 2016
Justice for Flint was put on by the Blackout for Human Rights Collective, and was spearheaded by directors Ryan Coogler and Ava DuVernay. Coogler and DuVernay are well-known for directing Creed and Selma respectively, and they are also well-known for having been snubbed for the Best Director nomination for these films. Janelle Monáe, Jesse Williams, and Stevie Wonder were just a few of the celebrities involved with Justice for Flint event. Local residents and activists also took part, sharing their stories of living with Flint’s water crisis.
We called for a few dollars to put on #JusticeForFlint. Thanks to my pals @KerryWashington @MaraBrockAkil and @Lupita_Nyongo for answering.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 28, 2016
We're Honored to Have 'The Young Flint Poets' Perform & Speak Truth at #JusticeForFlint Tonight. pic.twitter.com/EPfbWaKuIB
— #MLKNow 2017 (@UnitedBlackout) February 28, 2016
Met a beautiful young white mom & her son and she has nose and ear bleeding and can barely see sometimes because of the #FlintWaterCrisis!!!
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) February 28, 2016
One of these poets was pregnant w twins & lost them. A direct result of lead poisoning. She's here, now. Overstand that. #JUSTICEFORFLINT
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) February 29, 2016
These 4 courageous young men shared their painful stories of being poisoned. Brought me to tears. #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/4F9vqWkgfM
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 29, 2016
.@JanelleMonae leads crowd in chants of "Flint Lives Matter" "Clean Water" "Fix the pipes right now." Mayor Weaver on stage#JusticeForFlint
— Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) February 29, 2016
FLINT _ So #JanelleMonae and #StevieWonder introduced a new protest song for #FlintWaterCrisis victims: https://t.co/XV20vmdjHq
— ROCHELLE RILEY ? (@rochelleriley) February 29, 2016
No paid promotion. All word of mouth. $122k raised tonight for Flint recovery. Thank you to all 3022 activists who donated. #JusticeForFlint
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 29, 2016
At the Oscars, many celebrities did use the event as a platform to bring attention to institutional racism, as well as other issues like sexual violence and climate change. But as #OscarsSoWhite has highlighted, the Academy Awards aren’t exactly at the forefront of social progress. Justice for Flint put aside the affluent glamor of celebrity culture to put a human face on the Flint tragedy. The event was a powerful call for us to fight for environmental justice and broader racial justice goals – not just through words, but through direct action.
Folks are standing up for Flint! Since last night's #JusticeForFlint show, 3635 activists have raised their voices w/ $145k toward recovery!
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 29, 2016
You can donate to Justice for Flint by texting “Justice” to 83224.