'People of colour are rarely recognised' Jada Pinkett Smith suggests Oscars boycott
JADA PINKETT SMITH has hinted Hollywood figures from ethnic minority backgrounds should boycott the 88th Academy Awards next month.
Jada Pinkett Smith has expressed her dismay at the Oscars' failure to nominate non-whites
The actress took to Twitter to express her dismay at the Oscars' failure to nominate non-whites in any of the major categories for the second year in a row.
The hashtag #Oscarssowhite - first seen in 2015 - was trending on Twitter once again when the shortlist was revealed last week.
"At the Oscars… people of colour are always welcomed to give out awards… even entertain.
"But we are rarely recognised for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of colour refrain from participating all together?" the 44-year-old asked her 898,000 followers.
The actress has said she won't be attending this year's event
We must stand in our power!We must stand in our power.
Posted by Jada Pinkett Smith on Monday, January 18, 2016
Jada, who also posted a video saying she would not be attending the event, added: "People can only treat us in the way in which we allow. With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment. J."
Out of 20 people nominated in the acting categories, none are people of colour.
The mother-of-two isn't the first one to call out the Awards, and this year's host Chris Rock even referred to the event as "the White BET Awards" referencing Black Entertainment Network’s ethnic minority bash.
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
Host Chris Rock even referred to the event as the White BET Awards
Straight Outta Compton producer Will Packer also slammed the compiled list as "embarrassing" in a lengthy Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais tweeted: "Why did the Oscars announce all the white nominees first?”
Several black stars had been tipped as candidates including Will Smith, Idris Elba and Samuel L Jackson, while Latino actors Benicio Del Toro and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez were also snubbed.
The 88th Academy Awards will be held on February 28.
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