And I think the Oscar debate is really just an expression of this broader issue.
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Ever since the #OscarsSoWhite controversy broke out following this years Academy Award nominations, all eyes have been on one man, host Chris Rock.
The commander-in-chief didn’t call for a boycott over the Academy’s snow-white roster of nominees – as some in Tinseltown have in recent weeks – or encourage any specific action.
Some critics, including longtime members of the Academy, have accused the organization of purging itself of older, white male Oscar voters in direct response to a media firestorm.
The Oscars probably didn’t know what they were getting themselves into two weeks ago when they went ahead and failed to nominate a single person of color for any of the acting categories.
Part of their frustration, Morial said in an interview, is that he’s seen previous declarations made on diversity come and go. “I think it is overdue, but the Academy announced that they are going to be making some changes, as they should”, Clinton told AOL.
Rampling later backtracked on her controversial claim in a statement to CBS News, clarifying: “I simply meant to say that in an ideal world every performance will be given equal opportunities for consideration”.
Will Smith in “Concussion”, Idris Elba in “Beast of No Nation”, Samuel L. Jackson in “Hateful Eight”, Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler for “Creed” and the ensemble of Black newcomers and director F. Gary Gray for “Straight Outta Compton“.
The lack of diverse nominations has caused some high profile actors of colours to boycott next month ceremony, including actress Jada Pinkett Smith and award-winning director Spike Lee.
What is even more shocking to me is that Sylvester Stallone, who, of course, played Rocky Balboa in the film, got nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. He became the first sitting president to speak at the embassy. On Jan. 22, Boone Isaacs announced sweeping reforms to the organization that include doubling the number of female and minority members by 2020 and adding three new governors to the leadership board.
The 88th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on 28 February (16). This is not about us and them, it’s about we.
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Although Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has vowed to address the issue, Obama said the lack of black talent is ultimately just a microcosm of what America is now dealing with.
