Viola Davis: Oscar issues are ‘symptom of a much greater disease’

Fast forward almost 18 months and that lesson can be seen in all its glory in the claim that Hollywood is racist because the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences didn’t nominate any black actors for an Oscar this year – for the record, 32 Oscars have been awarded to African Americans.

The 69-year-old, who was just endorsed by Sarah Palin, called in to “Fox and Friends” on Tuesday and was asked about his thoughts on Reverend Al Sharpton’s call to boycott the ceremony.

Davis quickly rattled off a list of questions that Academy members should be asking themselves when it comes to nominating films and actors. In 1989, Lee’s film lost out to a much more benign view of black-white relations in Driving Miss Daisy.

“The problem isn’t even our pay”, the How To Get Away With Murder star continued.

The two-time Oscar nominee said that she will not attend the Oscars this year.

“I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful work of this year’s nominees”.

Viola, who received Oscar nods for her roles in Doubt and The Help, has now waded into the row, and insisted movie executives need to provide more quality movies for black castmembers.

African American entertainer Chris Rock is still set to host the Oscars.

Goldberg highlights a particular problem that many creative industries still suffer from: that is the notion that it is only the white experience of life that can be sold to people. Viola Davis feels TV lies about women “Can you cast a black woman in that role?” It isn’t the only example though. Many of us will be entertained, regardless of what race they represent.

There seems to be an acknowledgement in the industry that this probably traces back to the hiring bias within Hollywood’s major studies, and how sexism and racial inequality in the industry has become a vicious cycle.

“The things that they’re rallying against are true, there is… diversity issues… but… the people that are actually rallying are very powerful, and they could create their own Academy, so I go for – start your own Academy”.

However, that doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t protest the Academy’s actions.

“You can change the Academy, but if there are no black films being produced, what is there to vote for?”