History made at SAG Awards as people of color win top film acting awards

History was made at the annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday evening when performers of color swept all four major acting categories. 

The late Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya and Yuh-Jung Youn all won in their respective categories. It was the first time since the SAG Awards began in 1995 that minority actors won the leading actor, leading actress, supporting actor and supporting actress awards, according to Yahoo. 

Boseman, who died last year of cancer, and Davis won best actor and actress, respectively, for their roles in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Davis mentioned the movie was adapted from a play by a Black playwright who she said “leaves a legacy for actors of color,” the news outlet reported. 

Kaluuya, who hosted “Saturday Night Live” a day before winning the best supporting actor award for his role in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” mentioned Boseman in his acceptance speech, saying “this one” was for him. 

“I don’t know how to describe my feelings,” Youn said during her acceptance speech for best supporting actress for her role in “Minari.” “I’ve been recognized by Westerners. It is very, very honored, especially by my fellow actors who choose me as a supporting actress.”

Sunday’s award show was held virtually due to ongoing public health concerns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Academy Awards are slated for April 25, with nine actors of color nominated for various awards in the most diverse field in the award show’s history.