The "disappointed"
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has released an official
statement in regards to the lack of diversity represented at this year's
Academy Awards.
The conversation about non-white actors getting shut out of the Oscar nominations is being addressed for the second year in a row amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy and news of Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee refusing to attend this year's awards ceremony.
"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," Boone Isaacs wrote. "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."
The Academy
Verified account
@TheAcademy
In fact, Isaacs issued a promise for change starting with the members of the Academy. "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," she said.
The Oscars class of 2016 is once again solely composed of white actors and actresses, despite the Academy taking steps to address diversity.
"As many of you know, we have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years. But the change is not coming as fast as we would like. We need to do more, and better and more quickly," Boone Isaacs continued.
"This isn't unprecedented for the Academy. 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."
A day after the nominations were announced, host Chris Rock took a jab at the Oscars, calling the awards show "the White BET Awards."
In her statement, Boone Isaacs concluded, "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."
The conversation about non-white actors getting shut out of the Oscar nominations is being addressed for the second year in a row amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy and news of Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee refusing to attend this year's awards ceremony.
"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," Boone Isaacs wrote. "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."
The Academy
Verified account
A statement from Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs
In fact, Isaacs issued a promise for change starting with the members of the Academy. "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," she said.
The Oscars class of 2016 is once again solely composed of white actors and actresses, despite the Academy taking steps to address diversity.
"As many of you know, we have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years. But the change is not coming as fast as we would like. We need to do more, and better and more quickly," Boone Isaacs continued.
"This isn't unprecedented for the Academy. 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."
A day after the nominations were announced, host Chris Rock took a jab at the Oscars, calling the awards show "the White BET Awards."
In her statement, Boone Isaacs concluded, "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."
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