Many celebrities decided to boycott tonight's Oscar ceremony to make a statement about the lack of inclusiveness for people of color, but Kerry Washington walked the red carpet and attended the ceremony proudly. It's not just that she wanted to put on a pretty dress, either. The Scandal actress explained during a red carpet interview why she decided to attend the awards.
Asked why she didn't join Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Spike Lee and others in sitting out this year's show, Washington told Robin Roberts that she believes her "voice is best used at the table."
"As a new member of the Academy, I want to be a part of the conversation so there is institutional change, so we never have a year like this again," she added. "You need all those voices at the table. It’s about women, about people of color, its about age."

Watch Kerry pay tribute to Diahann Carroll at A Celebration of Hollywood, below:

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(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)