The complete list of Oscar nominees has been announced for the 2016 Academy Awards on
February 28 and some actors are speaking out in regards to the lack of diversity in this year’s
Oscar nominations.
This will be the second year in a row in which only white performers are nominated in the four
actor and actress categories. Unfortunately, this completely takes away the chance of a well
deserved woman of color actress becoming the second to win the Best Actress award. As we all know, Halle Berry was the first black woman to win this award all the way back in 2002. That’s 14 years ago, people!
Celebrities like Jada Pinkett-Smith and Spike Lee announced on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday that they will not be attending the award show. Pinkett-Smith posted a video on Facebook that expressed her disappointment in the academy and the need for change, but importantly added, “I have nothing but love, always.”
At the end of the video she gave a friendly, good luck shout-out to comedian Chris Rock who will be hosting this year’s “white BET Awards,” as Rock called it.
Some believe Pinkett-Smith and Lee are overreacting, while others support their decision and
believe in their message. We can’t help but wonder if more celebrities will join Pinkett-Smith’s
and Lee’s stance.
Check out Jada Pinkett-Smith share her thoughts below.