Obama addresses lack of black Oscar nominees

Obama said that the Oscar debate is an expression of a broader issue.

“The Board of Governors of the Academy approved a sweeping series of substantive changes created to make the Academy’s membership, its governing bodies and its voting members significantly more diverse”.

“You can bring in more women, you can bring in more anybody”.

Black actors Jada Pinkett Smith and husband Will Smith, wouldn’t have become worldwide celebrities and multi-millionaires if Hollywood – and America – was racist as a whole.

Indeed, that probably has a lot to do with the fact that Oscar voters are overwhelmingly white (more than 90 percent), overwhelmingly male (70 percent) and older (average age, 60s). Following criticism, the Academy made a decision to take steps to improve the situation.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton previously showed her support for the boycott too, putting emphasis on the importance of diversity in the entertainment industry.

The Academy has to ensure that every actors, actress and movie related personnel gets a fair chance at the Oscars. Moreover, as critics have pointed out, there were many stellar performances in 2015 by people of color. “We Can’t Act?! (sic)” added Lee, who was awarded an honorary Oscar in November previous year.

As far as this controversy goes, other stars have put in their two cents regarding their stance on the boycott.

Lifetime voting rights will be granted only to Academy Award nominees and winners, and to members after three 10-year voting terms.

“Hollywood wants to deal with this as a communications crisis, not a crisis of substance”, said Morial.

“And I think the Oscar debate is really just an expression of this broader issue”.

“It makes for better entertainment, it makes everybody feel part of one American family”, Obama continued. It also has an important role to play in American society, he said.

William Goldstein, a composer and long-time academy member, chastised the academy in a Los Angeles Times editorial for “capitulating to political correctness” while missing the bigger picture.