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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Friday it is introducing a “sweeping series” of measures to deliver on their promise to double the number of diverse members by 2020.
Following the news, several celebrities took to social media to share their reactions amid controversy over all-white acting nominees for the Oscars.
We’re making changes. New Academy membership and voting diversity initiatives announced today. https://t.co/Arna4YvgY1
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2016
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Al Sharpton, who has been among those urging for the Oscars boycott, is taking the Academy’s call to action into consideration.
“Consulting with fellow civil rights leaders on the announcements from the Academy today. Stay tuned,” the Baptist minister tweeted.
Consulting with fellow civil rights leaders on the announcements from the Academy today. Stay tuned.
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 22, 2016
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Director Ava DuVernay also shared her thoughts writing, “One good step in a long, complicated journey for people of color + women artists. Shame is a helluva motivator.” In another tweet she imploded the Academy to “just get it done.”
#OscarsSoWhite creator April Reign was shocked to hear about the Academy’s decision to rewrite the rules. “I’m floored. Thank you for sharing the news. I wouldn’t have known for hours. Thank you so much for the support. #OscarsSoWhite,” she tweeted.
The Academy will be implementing a “sweeping series of substantive changes” in order to make its “membership, its governing bodies and its voting members significantly more diverse” starting later this year, it said in a statement Friday.
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SOURCE: People Magazine –
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