Viola Davis speaks out on Oscars diversity

The momentum around a proposed boycott of the upcoming Academy Awards, due to its second straight year of all-white acting nominees, has now started to permeate corridors of power outside of the Hollywood establishment.

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) told The Hill on Friday that he supports the boycott – though he’s not a “big movie buff”. But I have a growing sense that it’s misguided. “But if you look behind the scenes, you don’t see almost as much diversity”. Hispanics, despite their rank now as the largest minority in America, are significantly more marginalized in our culture. By the way, we’re talking about African Americans. “The things that they’re rallying against are true, there is… diversity issues… but… the people that are actually rallying are very powerful, and they could create their own Academy, so I go for – start your own Academy”.

“I think they are reflective of the African-American community”, he said of those rebuffing the event. And yes, Black men (who I am assuming she is referring to) do have male privilege, but that doesn’t trump race.

The Oscars, however, are intended as awards of merit.

George Clooney is the latest name to speak out against the all-white Oscar nominations.

Will Smith, star of the December film “Concussion“, said his decision to join his wife in boycotting the Oscars is “deeply not about me”. “There’s a lot of great work out there and I think Smith is right”. Very few would argue that films, which are increasingly put together for foreign markets, are as good as what shows up on cable and network television, where diversity is taken more seriously. I would also make the argument, I don’t think it’s a problem of who you’re picking as much as it is: “How many options are available to minorities in film, particularly in quality films?” the 54-year-old actor told Variety.

“Like I said, the Oscars are not really the issue”, she said. Ironically enough, two films helmed by either Black actors and/or directors-“Creed” and “Compton”-were recognized by the academy, but their sole nominations were denied to people of color, with Sylvester Stallone receiving a best supporting actor nod for his role in “Creed” and writers of “Compton” receiving a nomination for best original screenplay”.

Several other changes have also been proposed among the Academy ranks, though they’re less likely to be instated. Last year’s host, Neil Patrick Harris even opened the awards ceremony last year with the line: ‘Tonight we honor Hollywood’s best and whitest. One year ago, there was an nearly identical flashpoint: in 2015, all 20 of the performers nominated were white.