Spike Lee will not attend this year's Oscars in protest of the all-white acting nominations for two years in a row.
Lee wrote a lengthy Facebook post on Monday, coinciding with Martin Luther King Day, to express his disappointment with Hollywood and its lack of minorities in executive positions that green light movies.
"As I See It, The Academy Awards Is Not Where The 'Real' Battle Is. It's In The Executive Office Of The Hollywood Studios And TV and Cable Networks. This Is Where The Gate Keepers Decide What Gets Made And What Gets Jettisoned To 'Turnaound' Or Scrap Heap. This Is What's Important. The Gate Keepers. Those With 'The Green Light' Vote," he wrote.
The "Chi-Raq" director accepted an Honorary Oscar Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences at the Governor's Awards in November. The winners are again acknowledged during the Oscars ceremony in February.
Lee has two previous Oscar nominations for Best Documentary for his 1998 film "4 Little Girls" and Best Original Screenplay for his 1990 film "Do the Right Thing." His most recent work, "Chi-Raq," was not part of this year's awards conversation.
#OscarsSoWhite... Again.I Would Like To Thank President Cheryl Boone Isaacs And The Board Of Governors Of The Academy...
Posted by Spike Lee on Monday, January 18, 2016
Jada Pinkett Smith posted a series of tweets on Saturday questioning why the Oscars invites "people of color" to present awards or serve as the night's entertainment but "rarely" recognize their artistic achievements.
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
The "Magic Mike XXL" actress followed up her tweets with a Facebook video on Monday encouraging others not to "beg" for love or acknowledgement from groups but to "love, acknowledge and respect ourselves." Her husband, Will Smith, was passed over for Lead Actor for his role in "Concussion."
Pinkett Smith finished by saying she would not attend this year's Oscars but wished host Chris Rock good luck. She planned to still watch the ceremony on television.
We must stand in our power.
Posted by Jada Pinkett Smith on Monday, January 18, 2016
All four major acting categories feature all-white actors. The screenwriting categories also had no non-white representation, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu was the only minority nominated in the director's category.
The 88th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
