Los Angeles, January 20 (RHC)-- U.S. film director Spike Lee says he will boycott the Oscars this year after no actors of color were nominated for a second year in a row.
While movies about African Americans like "Straight Outta Compton" and "Creed" received nominations, they went to the white writers of "Straight Outta Compton" and white actor Sylvester Stallone for "Creed"; the African-American directors and non-white actors were excluded.
Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of actor Will Smith, whom many thought would be nominated for his role in the film "Concussion," released a video message on Martin Luther King Day. She said: "Begging for acknowledgment, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power. And we are a dignified people, and we are powerful. And let’s not forget it."
Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a statement she was "heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion," and "it’s time for big change."