(Photo) Jada Pinkett Smith Responds To The Academy President’s Statement

Since the reveal of this year’s Oscar nominations, critics of the 88th Annual Awards show have slammed the Academy for their lack of diversity. After actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike like called for a boycott of the awards, the Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs released a statement about the controversy. She wrote a positive message with hope for the future saying,

“I would like to acknowledge the wonderful work of this year’s nominees. While we celebrate their extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion…”

Since the release of Issacs statement on behalf of the Academy, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has been one of the more vocal critics throughout this controversy reached out via Twitter with a response about the Academy’s statement. Check out more below.


(Video) Whoopi Goldberg And Russell Simmons Slam Oscar Boycott

After several celebrities like Jada Pinkett-Smith and Spike Lee called for a boycott of this year’s Oscars due to a lack of diversity and others like Tyrese and 50 Cent put pressure on Chris Rock, who’s hosting the awards to step back, Whoopi Goldberg and Russell Simmons are speaking out. Hit the jump for more.


(Video) Spike Lee On The Oscars: “I Never Called For A Boycott”

Spike Lee appeared on ‘Good Morning America’ to correct the media about all the reports that he was calling for a boycott of the Oscars. Earlier this week Spike Lee posted a statement saying he will not be attending this year’s Academy Awards after slamming the Academy for their lack of diversity. Spike Lee explained “Here’s the thing. I have never used the word boycott,” he continued, “All I said was my beautiful wife Tonya, we’re not coming. That’s it, then I gave the reasons, so I never used the word boycott.” Read more below.


(Photos) Tyrese Suggests Chris Rock Forfeit His Position As Host Of The Oscars

Jada Pinkett-Smith (with Aunt Viv adding her commentary), Spike Lee, and Snoop Dogg are among the many celebrities who feel that The Academy has continuously overlooked the Black community of actors and actresses when it comes down to the Oscars. This being the reason other celebrities, namely R&B singer Tyrese, are making attempts to stop Chris Rock from hosting the upcoming ceremony. Tyrese has offered his opinion on Rock not making the show by asking him to “do the right thing.”


(Photo) Spike Lee To Boycott The Oscars In Honor Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“#OscarsSoWhite… Again,” is the phrase Spike Lee used to open up his critical attack on the Academy. In a strategically planned Instagram rant, Lee revealed he will be joining other actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and boycotting this year’s Oscars. The awards have been under fire since early last week, when the nominations were revealed and proved that once again black actors and films have been overlooked. Read more below.


(Video) Spike Lee & Jada Pinkett Smith Tells The Academy: “We’re Not Begging For Your Acknowledgment Anymore”

Since the reveal of this year’s Oscar nominations, critics of the 88th Annual Awards show have slammed the Academy for their lack of diversity. Actors and fans alike, have spoken out to express their views and question why so many black films in particular have been tossed aside. Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has been one of the more vocal critics and s he expressed her thoughts on the matter in a statement on Facebook over the weekend. She wrote,

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? People can only treat us in the way in which we allow.

Following her statement, Pinkett-Smith shared an emotional video expressing her thoughts further and announcing she will not be attending this years Awards. Check out more below.


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