Some Congressional Black Caucus Members Support Oscars Boycott

FILE – In this Nov. 14, 2010 file photo, U.S. Rep Danny Davis, center, along with his wife Vera, announces his candidacy for mayor of Chicago. Davis issued a news release, saying he wants former President Bill Clinton to stay out of the Chicago mayor’s race and not campaign for Davis’ rival Rahm Emanuel. Davis warned Clinton that he could jeopardize his “long and fruitful relationship” with African Americans by choosing Emanuel. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)

Two Congressional Black Caucus members are now openly supporting those who are boycotting February’s Academy Awards ceremony over the lack of diversity among nominees. Even caucus members who won’t say they back the boycott are still criticizing the Oscars. 

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) told The Hill on Friday that he supports the boycott — though he’s not a “big movie buff.”

“I think they are reflective of the African-American community,” he said of those rebuffing the event.

Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.) told The Huffington Post that he, too, supports the boycotters.

“The lack of diversity in the Academy Awards, from the selection committee to the nominees honored, is extremely concerning,” Meeks said. “This is not a new problem but one that has persisted for many years. Efforts to correct this pervasive issue within the Academy Awards are long overdue and since no tangible actions have been taken, a boycott seems like the appropriate course of action.”

For the second year in a row, no black actors are up for awards in the four major acting categories. That news reignited the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, which was used last year to voice outrage at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Davis and Meeks join a list of prominent politicians and entertainers who have spoken out about the Oscars’ missing diversity.

Will Smith is joining his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in the boycott because he said, “We’re uncomfortable to stand there and say it’s OK.” Spike Lee fumed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” this week that the lack of black nominees was an example of systemic failures plaguing Hollywood. Even GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump said that “it would certainly be nice if everyone could be represented.”

Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.), also with the Congressional Black Caucus, told HuffPost that the Academy Awards is not alone in its failure.

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Source: The Huffington Post | Tyler Tynes