The Final Call

'Oscar So White' Controversy Keeps Growing

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Despite the raging controversy that has caused stars such as Will and Jada-Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee to forego attending this year’s Oscar awards, Chris Rock, recently assigned the host, has decided to write a completely new script instead of not hosting all together. There are reports the academy is seeking other high profile Blacks to present awards.

While some admired Chris Rock’s subtle move to address racial bias in the Academy Awards, such as Marlon Wayans who told People magazine that “there’s no greater person to talk about this than Chris Rock,” others such as singer and actor Tyrese Gibson, rapper 50 Cent and Mr. Lee advised the comedian to step down due to the lack of Black actors and actresses named in any award category.

“There is no way for him to seize the moment and come into this thing and say, ‘I’m going to say this and say that I’m going to address the issue but then still I’m going to keep my gig as the host,” Mr. Gibson stated. On an Instagram post, 50 Cent wrote in a caption, “Chris please do not do the Oscars awards. You mean a lot man, don’t do it. Please.”

The Twitter hashtag “#OscarsSoWhite” gained heavy momentum with a second year with no Black acting nominees for the Oscars. The lack of recognition is an old one. In 2002 Jay-Z and Kanye West boycotted the Grammys saying “too many major rap artists continue to be overlooked.” April Reign, who created the hashtag, said it began with her venting frustrations over the “lack of talented actors of color in front of and behind the camera.” Her hashtag has also been considered as a possible theme for the new Rock monologue. She supports an Oscar boycott and statements about the problem from anyone who attends the Feb. 28 event. Actor Matt Damon called the nomination debacle “embarrassing.”

(From Associated Press and Final Call staff reports.)