Unless you live under a rock (or just aren’t into pop culture), you’ll be aware that there is an Oscars’ boycott on the rise. Ever since it was announced that no people of colour were nominated for the 20 major Academy Awards, many celebrities have announced their unwillingness to attend or even watch the Oscars this year on February 28, 2016.
With this being the second year in a row that no people of colour were nominated in the actor or actress categories, Jada Pinkett Smith took to the web to voice her anger. On Martin Luther King Jr. day, she posted a viral video affirming that she would not be attending or watching the Oscars, as well as suggesting that other celebrities of colour do the same. On the same day, acclaimed director Spike Lee announced his support for the Oscars boycott on instagram and assured his audience that he would not be attending the Oscars.
Other celebrities such as Will Smith, Mark Ruffalo (who was nominated for best supporting actor in Spotlight), Tyrese Gibson and Snoop Dogg have also shown their support for the Oscars Boycott. This has also led to fans putting pressure on 2016 Oscars host, Chris Rock, to step down.
Despite the ongoing boycott, the question still remains; weren’t there any noteworthy actors, actresses or directors nominated in this or the previous year? According to Bustle.com, the Oscars had overlooked 23 actors and actresses in 2015. The list included the likes of Cory Hardrict in American Sniper, Maya Rudolph in Inherent Vice, Miyavi in Unbroken, Oprah Winfrey in Selma and many other outstanding actors and actresses. However, not much could be said for the potential nominees of 2016.
On a more positive note, the Oscars have noticed the disapproval of the masses and have already started putting measures in place. In 2012, surveys conducted by the Los Angeles Times showed that, on average, the voters within the Academy are 63-year-old white men. The majority of these men are no longer active in the film industry and frequently display a biased view on the nature of films.
According to Vox Culture the Academy President, Cheryl Boone Isaac, has implemented a new policy in order to rectify the inequitableness within the voting system. There are new 10-year membership spots available for people who are in the film industry. During the decade of their membership, these members must continue to be active with in the film industry. In 2017, all of the current members who are not still active in the film industry will be removed; these new policies also come with the promise to admit more women and people of colour as members.
Hopefully these new policies will bring positive change to the functions of the Academy and we’ll be seeing a more diverse selection of remarkable actors, actresses, directors and more in the coming future.