Should NAACP Image Awards Honor White Artists Thicke, Timberlake?

Unlike the Golden Globes or Grammys whose golden statues are doled out to outstanding performers of the year, the NAACP Image Awards are designed for a higher plateau of artistic excellence.

The NAACP Image Awards’ litmus test for nominees are “…people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors,” according to its website. And over time, the civil rights organization has expanded its recognition to include a more diverse set of entertainers (i.e. Indian actress Archie Panjabi of “The Good Wife” and Puerto Rican and Filipino musician Bruno Mars) to match those needs.

But this year’s two nominees—Justin Timberlake, who is up for three awards for “The 20/20 Experience,” and Robin Thicke, who has four nods for “Blurred Lines”—have sparked a controversy that has viewers questioning the exclusivity of what the NAACP Image Awards are built on.

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