“#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.
Spike Lee wrote,
It’s No Coincidence I’m Writing This As We Celebrate The 30th Anniversary Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday. Dr. King Said “There Comes A Time When One Must Take A Position That Is Neither Safe, Nor Politic, Nor Popular But He Must Take It Because Conscience Tells Him It’s Right”. For Too Many Years When The Oscars Nominations Are Revealed, My Office Phone Rings Off The Hook With The Media Asking Me My Opinion About The Lack Of African-Americans And This Year Was No Different. For Once, (Maybe) I Would Like The Media To Ask All The White Nominees And Studio Heads How They Feel About Another All White Ballot. If Someone Has Addressed This And I Missed It Then I Stand Mistaken.
Lee apologized to his friends and colleges involved in this year’s Oscars saying he just “cannot support it” He wrote,
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!!
Will you boycott this year’s Oscars?
Click the gallery for the full statement.
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