Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs addresses lack of diversity in 2016 Oscars
The Academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, has finally addressed the lack of diversity in the 2016 Oscars nominations.
In a statement released by the Academy, Cheryl said: “I’d 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. This is a difficult but important conversation, and it’s time for big changes. The Academy is taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup of our membership. In the coming days and weeks we will conduct a review of our membership recruitment in order to bring about much-needed diversity in our 2016 class and beyond.
“As many of you know, we have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years,” she continued. “But the change is not coming as fast as we would like. We need to do more, and better and more quickly.
“This isn’t unprecedented for the Academy,” Cheryl added. “In the ‘60s and ‘70s, it was about recruiting younger members to stay vital and relevant. In 2016, the mandate is inclusion in all of its facets: gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. We recognize the very real concerns of our community, and I so appreciate all of you who have reached out to me in our effort to move forward together.”
Actors David Oyelowo and Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have all announced that they will be boycotting the Oscars following the release of this year’s nominees list having only white actors in all 20 acting categories two years in a row.
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8 Comments
ken
January 20, 06:24Pp biko why are we still on this matter. Unless u are telling me how David oyelowo bottomed for will smith and jada suddenly converted to lesbianism. I really couldnt care less 🙂
NB have a buriful day y’all!
Pink Panther
January 20, 06:25If e don taya you, you waka pass na. 🙂
Have a biuruful day yourself.
ken
January 20, 06:28Ngwanu post d next topic bikonu. Make I waka go dia
Pink Panther
January 20, 06:30Hehehehehee!!! In a minute.
Mandy
January 20, 07:54Wait o, so the Academy’s president is BLACK!!! Ha! Madam, do you not know warris happening in your doormot?
Terra
January 20, 09:15She spoke out, without really saying anything at all
Tobby
January 20, 12:23Boycott. A bit histrionic, no?
Pink Panther
January 20, 13:21They’re actors, Tobby. Histrionics is their major.