Nothing says racial oppression like two millionaires using Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s name to whine about not getting a trophy.
On Monday, actress Jada Pinkett Smith and film director Spike Lee announced separately that they would be boycotting the Oscars this year.
We must stand in our power.
Posted by Jada Pinkett Smith on Monday, January 18, 2016
At the Oscars…people of color are always welcomed to give out awards…even entertain, (pt. 1)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 16, 2016
But 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, 2016
People 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
Pinkett Smith observed that “the Academy has the right to acknowledge whoever they choose,” just as film artists of color have the right to participate or not.
“Maybe it’s time we pull back our resources and we put them back into our communities, into our programs, and we make programs for ourselves that acknowledge us in ways that we see fit, that are just as good as the so-called mainstream,” she said.
She added that “begging for acknowledgement, or even asking for it, diminishes dignity,” before closing with the statement that she will neither attend nor watch the Academy Awards this year.
Spike Lee, meanwhile, made his case via an Instagram post.
“It’s no coincidence I’m writing this as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday,” Lee wrote on an Instagram post with every word capitalized. “Dr. King said, ‘There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it’s right.’”
Lee blasted the Academy for having only white actors and actresses nominated for best actor and actress awards, respectively, for the second year in a row.
The two Hollywood heavyweights apparently couldn’t imagine that the people they wanted to see nominated, like Pinkett Smith’s husband Will Smith for his role in “Concussion,” might not have deserved to be nominated this year.
Either way, it’s doubtful that the Academy Awards was high on the list of things Dr. King was fighting for.
Related post:
Allen West puts ‘race-baiting’ Sharpton in place with one simple tweet
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