There is an ugly controversy brewing at the 88th Academy Awards and it has to do with the color of the nominees skin or rather the lack of any different colors to their skin tones. It has become a common theme for the notoriously conservative Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science that they didn't find the work of any African-American worth nominating in any of its major categories. This oversite has brought about many responses of outrage, particularly from Chris Rock, who is due to take on the hosting duties this year. He satirically dubbed the event "the white BET Awards".
Others have reacted with plain anger and promised to boycott the Oscars. According to the NY Daily News online, both Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith announced on Monday, which was Martin Luther King Day , that they were boycotting the Oscars. Others are expected to be pressured to follow their example. It's not like there weren't good choices this year. The N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton was very well reviewed and a lot of people thought it might at least get one of the 10 slots in the Best Picture category. As well, it probably wouldn't have raised any eyebrows if Will Smith had been nominated for Concussion.
This lack of diversity caused director Spike Lee to comment on Instagram, "We cannot support it and mean no disrespect ...But, how is it possible for the second consecutive year all 20 contenders are white? And let's not even get into the other branches. Forty white actors in two years and no flava at all? We can't act?! WTF!!"
Some calls have already have already been heard for Chris Rock to drop out as host but this probably won't happen as it is only a little over a month till the show. That isn't enough time to bring in a replacement. On Oscar night a lot of people may be tuning in to hear what the never shy Chris Rock says in his comedy routine as host.
