Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith to Boycott Oscars due to Lack of Diversity
Do not expect to see director Spike Lee and actress Jada Pinkett Smith at this year's Oscars.
The big-name stars have announced that they will be boycotting the award show, which takes place on Feb. 28 due to the lack of diversity after zero African American actors received nominations. A total of 20 white actors were nominated.
Smith released a video on Monday on Martin Luther King Day, explaining why she will not be attending or watching the awards show. Smith stated that it time that people of color acknowledge their power and influence in the world by using their own resources to create their own levels of standards.
She stated, "It's our responsibility now to make the change. Maybe it is time we pull back our resources and we put them back into our communities, into our programs and we make programs for ourselves that acknowledge us in ways that we see fit, that are just as good as the so-called mainstream ones. ...Begging for acknowledgement or even asking diminished dignity, it diminishes power and we are a dignified people. We are powerful and let's not forget it. So, let's let the Academy do them, with all grace and love, and let's do us differently. I've got nothing but love."
Smith ends her speech by congratulating Chris Rock for hosting this year's show.
"Hey Chris, I will not be at the Academy Awards and I won't be watching, but I can't think of a better man to do the job at hand than you, my friend," she said.
We must stand in our power!We must stand in our power.
Posted by Jada Pinkett Smith on Monday, January 18, 2016
It is unclear whether or not Smith's husband, Will Smith, who delivered a phenomenal performance in the movie, "Concussion" but was not nominated, would be attending the show.
Lee declared his and his wife's boycott of the show via Instagram.
"How is it possible for the 2nd consecutive year all 20 contenders in the acting category are all white?" he asked. "And Let's Not Even Get Into The Other Branches. 40 White Actors In 2 Years."
Lee added:
"For too many years when the Oscars nominations are revealed, my office phone rings off the hook with the media asking me my opinion about the lack of African-Americans and this year was no different. For Once, (Maybe) I Would Like The Media To Ask All The White Nominees And Studio Heads How They Feel About Another All White Ballot....
As I See It, The Academy Awards Is Not Where The 'Real' Battle Is. It's In The Executive Office Of The Hollywood Studios And TV And Cable Networks. This Is Where The Gate Keepers Decide What Gets Made And What Gets Jettisoned To 'Turnaround' Or Scrap Heap. This Is What's Important."
Lee was awarded an honorary Oscar in November. During his speech then, he also discussed the lack of diversity in executives who work in Hollywood.
