This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35348062

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Spike Lee boycotts 'lily white' Oscars over white nominees Oscars head acts over lack of nominees' diversity
(about 2 hours later)
Film director Spike Lee and actress Jada Pinkett Smith have said they will not attend next month's Oscars ceremony because of the mostly white nominees. Oscars head Cheryl Boone Isaacs is taking action to "alter the make-up" of their membership, after Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith's refusal to attend because of the mostly white nominees.
Boone Isaacs praised the "wonderful work" of the nominees but said she was "heartbroken" at the lack of diversity.
Lee said on Instagram he "cannot support" the "lily white" awards show.Lee said on Instagram he "cannot support" the "lily white" awards show.
Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs has praised the "wonderful work" of the nominees but said she was "heartbroken" at the lack of diversity. Jada Pinkett Smith said in a video message on Facebook that she would not be attending the awards ceremony.
Boone Isaacs added that "dramatic steps" were being taken, saying: "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."
Members, made up of people from the film industry, vote on who is nominated for the Oscars each year.
"This is a difficult but important conversation, and it's time for big changes," she said.
"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."
She said such a move was not "unprecedented" for the Academy, and that in the 60s and 70s younger members were recruited and that today's mandate was about inclusion: "gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation".
Boone Isaacs has also tried to make the show on 28 February more diverse, bringing in black comedian Chris Rock to host.
This is the second year in a row there have been boycott calls, sparked by a list of nominees that is mostly white.This is the second year in a row there have been boycott calls, sparked by a list of nominees that is mostly white.
Among those overlooked were the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton for best picture and Will Smith for best actor in NFL film Concussion. Among those overlooked were the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton for best picture and Pinkett Smith's husband Will Smith, for best actor in NFL film Concussion.
His wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, said in a video message on Facebook that she would not attend. Pinkett Smith said: "Begging for acknowledgement, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power. And we are a dignified people and we are powerful."
"Begging for acknowledgement, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power," she said.
"And we are a dignified people and we are powerful."
She and Lee made their announcement on Martin Luther King Jr Day, a national holiday in the US to remember the civil rights leader.She and Lee made their announcement on Martin Luther King Jr Day, a national holiday in the US to remember the civil rights leader.
"Forty white actors in two years and no flava at all," said Lee. "We can't act?!""Forty white actors in two years and no flava at all," said Lee. "We can't act?!"
Black lead acting winnersBlack lead acting winners
Last year, there were similar calls to boycott the ceremony but Lee and Pinkett Smith are the first high-profile figures to carry out the threat.Last year, there were similar calls to boycott the ceremony but Lee and Pinkett Smith are the first high-profile figures to carry out the threat.
Neil Patrick Harris presented the show and the audience figures were down 16% to a six-year low.Neil Patrick Harris presented the show and the audience figures were down 16% to a six-year low.
The president of the Academy, which picks the contenders, said she was "heartbroken and frustrated" at the lack of inclusion.
"We need to do more, and better and more quickly," said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the first African-American to hold the role. She promised a review of membership recruitment.
Ms Isaacs has also tried to make the show on 28 February more diverse, bringing in black comedian Chris Rock to host.
The hashtag "OscarsSoWhite" was heavily used after Thursday's announcement.The hashtag "OscarsSoWhite" was heavily used after Thursday's announcement.
The Reverend Al Sharpton said: "Hollywood is like the Rocky Mountains, the higher up you get the whiter it gets and this year's Academy Awards will be yet another Rocky Mountain Oscar."The Reverend Al Sharpton said: "Hollywood is like the Rocky Mountains, the higher up you get the whiter it gets and this year's Academy Awards will be yet another Rocky Mountain Oscar."