Jada Pinkett Smith & Spike Lee Plan to Boycott Oscars
The Academy Awards is under fire for yet another year due to the nominees continued lack of diversity. While some shrugged off the snubs for the 2016 Oscars, others like Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee have decided to forgo the event altogether.
“With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment,” Jada wrote on her Facebook page, “At the Oscars…people of color are always welcomed to give out awards…even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of color refrain from participating all together?” She then went on to post a video today, asking “is it time that people of color recognize how much power [and] influence that we have amassed?” before excusing herself from this year’s ceremony.
Spike Lee chimed in with his own social media post, titling it “#OscarsSoWhite… Again.” After thanking the Board Of Governors at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for his recent honorary Oscar, the famed filmmaker announced he and his wife, Tonya Lewis, “will not be attending the Oscar ceremony this coming February.” “We Cannot Support It And Mean No Disrespect To My Friends, Host Chris Rock and Producer Reggie Hudlin, President Isaacs And The Academy. But, How Is It Possible For The 2nd Consecutive Year All 20 Contenders Under The Actor Category Are White? And Let’s Not Even Get Into The Other Branches. 40 White Actors In 2 Years And No Flava At All. We Can’t Act?! WTF!!”
