The 2011 Image Awards aired recently honoring the best achievements by people of color in TV, music, literature and film. Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls” dominated last night’s NAACP Image Awards; winning the best picture, director and supporting-actress prizes.
Halle Berry won the outstanding actress prize “Frankie & Alice,” and also shared a heartfelt acceptance speech about achieving her childhood dream.
Aired on FOX, The Friday event was held at the Shrine Auditorium and hosted by Wayne Brady and Holly Robinson Peete. Sade, who got the most nominations in music with four nods, unfortunately won none.
This year, the prize-giving event comes under fire for celebrating Jay-Z, Minaj, P. Diddy, Kanye and other artists who often use offensive lyrics and derogatory images. “It is unconscionable that the NAACP would sully its brand, squander its legacy, and take such a stand contrary to the aspirations and dreams of the mainstream of the African-American community,” said Reverend Delman Coates, senior pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church.
“While artists are free to produce their own art, it is not acceptable for public corporations and established civil right organizations to sanction the kinds of lyrics promoted by some of these artists,” he continued. “These are the wrong images for a civil rights organization to nominate and endorse.”
In response to the criticisms, the Pasadena branch of the NAACP promised to review the complaints to see if they are valid. “I think the national office is going to review the policy of the nominees and the participants,” said NACCP President Joe Brown. “Hopefully this will eliminate inviting those whose lyrics are considered disdainful.”
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