David Oyelowo on Oscars' Lack of Diversity: 'We're Just Going to Keep Plugging Away'

Despite his Oscar snub, Selma star David Oyelowo was nothing but positive at Thursday's Critics' Choice Awards.

"These things happen," Oyelowo, who portrays civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in the historical drama about the 1965 voting rights marches in Alabama, told ET’s Brooke Anderson. "The prize for me is that this film is resonating so beautifully with audiences."

VIDEO: Watch 'Selma' Star David Oyelowo's Adorable Impersonation of Oprah

ET caught up with Oyelowo on the red carpet, where the British actor was effusive about the film's nomination for Best Picture as well as Common and John Legend’s nom for the song "Glory."

"People have asked me time and again, why has it taken so for a film about Dr. King to get made," Oyelowo told ET. "We live in an imperfect world, so we tried to make it a little bit more perfect by getting that film done."

VIDEO: Oprah Gets Emotional Talking About 'Selma': 'I'm Proud Of What We Were Able To Do'

Oyelowo had MLK quotes in the lining of his suit jacket at the awards, which took place on what would have been the civil rights leader’s 86th birthday. He took a moment to respond to the lack of diversity at this year’s Oscars, in which every acting category features all white nominees.

"We’re just going to keep plugging away," he said. "The only way to put a dent in the very real fact that there is a disproportionate amount of people who do not look like me doing what I do is something that I’m just going to fight by doing the best I can with the roles I get."

NEWS: 'Selma' Stars Use NYC Premiere to Support Peaceful Protests

ET's Kevin Frazier hosted a Q&A with the cast and crew of Selma at the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance in December. See more in the video below.

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