STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

National Action Network Calls for Boycott of Oscars

Civil rights group demands more diversity among voters.

As limos filled with celebrities line up outside the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, civil rights groups are calling for a boycott of today's Academy Awards ceremony, demanding greater diversity among Oscar voters. 

Activist and political pundit Al Sharpton's National Action Network, civil rights group Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable said they would demonstrate on Sunday before the televised ceremony.

| DIVERSITY AT THE OSCARS, BY THE NUMBERS |

"We are calling for a boycott of Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony," National Action Network political director Najee Ali said at a news conference. "We believe the Oscars needs more diversity within its membership."
A 2012 investigation by the Los Angeles Times found that of the 6,100 Academy members, 94 percent were white and 77 percent male. Members, who are selected for their work and recommended by existing members, had a median age of 62, the study said. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doesn't disclose the demographic breakdown of its voters.
"It is very important that the Academy Awards and its leadership have a membership and a type of voting system that represents America," Ali said.
This year's nominations had no ethnic minority actors among the 20 nominees in all four acting categories, which spawned the trending Twitter hashtag "#OscarsSoWhite."
Selma leading man David Oyelowo and director Ava DuVernay are among the notable snubs this year, though the film is nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Song.
BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.