Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith urge Oscars boycott
After another round of all-white acting nominations, black filmmakers are pushing back on social media.
People of color were angry and annoyed when the 2016 Academy Awards nominations were released and all the nominated actors were white.
Now, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, filmmaker Spike Lee and actor Jada Pinkett Smith are urging minority entertainers to withdraw their support from the Oscars in protest.
In a lengthy Instagram message, Spike Lee respectfully declined his invitation to the event:
He said his phone rings off the hook every year when the Oscar nominations are announced as reporters ask for his thoughts on the lack of African-American talent, and he challenged them to ask the white nominees how they felt about it instead.
Jada Pinkett Smith joined in the discussion with a Facebook video and a series of tweets, suggesting that the Academy could honor and invite whomever they chose, but black actors and filmmakers could also show their power by choosing not to participate.
We must stand in our power.
Posted by Jada Pinkett Smith on Monday, January 18, 2016
Jada then took it to twitter:
At the Oscars...people of color are always welcomed to give out awards...even entertain, (pt. 1)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 16, 2016But we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of color refrain from participating all together? (pt 2)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 16, 2016People can only treat us in the way in which we allow. With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment.
J (pt 3)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 16, 2016