Pinkett and Smith vs. The Oscars

By Nasir Ransom
February 17, 2016

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Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband, Will Smith, have announced that they will be boycotting the Oscars. Creative Commons

This year there are no African American nominees in any category for the Academy Awards. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have decided not to attend the Oscars on Feb. 28 in protest of this racist action by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Many think the reason that they chose not to attend is that Jada and husband Will were not nominated this year for an Oscar.

Pinkett Smith has made it known that it is not about her husband or herself, but about the need for more racial diversity within the Academy and its nominees. In a video she posted to Facebook, P
inkett says, “I think that it’s our responsibility now to make the change.”

Sidney Poitier was the first African American actor to win an academy award in the best actor category. That was over 50 years ago. African Americans have come so far within that time, but there is still more that needs to be achieved.

I do agree with her message; however, I feel that further clarification on the the issue was needed. For her to say, “Begging for acknowledgement or even asking diminishes dignity and diminishes power,” is a powerful statement, yes, but does not give a solution to the problem. More specific detail as to why she is not supporting the Oscars would have been nice to hear in her video.

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The Pinkett-Smith family has been known to make bold moves and statements.

Yes, there were a lot of great performances by actors of color this past year, and yes, it is a shame to not see any of those actors represented this year. With all of the discussion today about the need for racial equality, it is refreshing to see celebrities getting involved in a serious matter. To have not one actor of any other race besides caucasian on the list of nominees is basically saying that none of them were good enough to make the cut.

We need to foster a sense that actors of color can act just as well, if not better, than white actors. Inclusion and recognition needs to happen more often in Hollywood. There are tons of great, talented actors from every race out there and they should all be celebrated.

This video has inspired others like director Spike Lee and his wife’s decision not to attend, as well as a new hashtag. The hashtag #OSCARSSOWHITE was started by creator April Reign because there were no actors of color nominated in any of the best actor categories this year.

I support Will, Jada, Spike and any other person boycotting the oscars this year, which is a statement that needed to be made. During an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, Smith said, “This is so deeply not about me. This is about children that are going to
sit down and they’re going to watch this show and they’re not going to see themselves represented.”

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Nasir Ransom

Junior.
Digital Communications & Social Media Major.
Resident Assistant.
Director of LOQation News Program.
Assistant Director of Guest Services for Cabrini University.
Audience Development and Social Media Editor of Loquitur Media.

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