The Oscars have been under fire for not including more multi-racial nominees and are starting to have a reputation of being “too white.”After the nominations were announced, social media was on fire criticizing the Academy for not nominating such actors as Will Smith and Idris Elba. The overall message that the people are trying to proclaim is that there should be more multi-racial actors nominated for their work.

Actors have commented on the controversy involving the Oscars. Jada Pinkett Smith has sounded off on this topic and stated that she would not be attending or watching the Oscars. Her husband Will Smith would also not be attending the Oscars because of his view on the controversy as well. Will Smith was also one of the actors said to be “snubbed” of a nomination for his work in the movie “Concussion.” Director, Spike Lee, discussed the topic about the Oscars being “racist” on Good Morning America. He said that the Oscars nominated all white people and that we should all boycott the Academy Awards. The comments stated by Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Spike Lee created a firestorm on social media with #Oscarssowhite blowing up Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science released a statement stating that drastic decisions are being discussed to increase the diversity of their members. The President of the Academy, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, stated that “while we celebrate their extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion. 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 the membership to include more diversity (Isaacs). After this statement was made public, Jada Pinkett Smith, sent a remark out on social media saying that she is grateful for all that is being done for diversity in Hollywood.

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http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/oscars-2016-boycott-a-timeline-of-the-controversy-w162120