Spike Lee is not taking the lack of diversity in Hollywood sitting down.
In an interview with TheWrap, Spike Lee confirmed that he would not attend this year’s Academy Awards this year and demanded that white nominees and studios speak out about the lack of diversity among this year’s nominees.
“I’ve not heard except from Charlotte Rampling, one person – I’d like to hear from white nominees, studio heads – let’s hear from them,” said the director during an interview with TheWrap at the Sundance Film Festival.
And then Spike Lee pointed out how white actors and studio executives were more supportive of African Americans in the past than they are today. Spike Lee started naming Hollywood stars who marched with Martin Luther King in 1963:
“In 1963 these individuals marched with Dr. Martin Luther King – James Garner, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Frank Mankiewicz, Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward.
“At the time, these were the biggest stars in Hollywood. They marched with Dr. King. Compare to today – very few. Love the George Clooney, love the Jonathan Demme, love the Danny DeVito… but those are few. A lot of people are silent. Think about it.”
Spike Lee continued on by saying: “Those were the biggest Hollywood stars at the time. We’re not seeing that today, in my opinion… I’ve not heard except from Charlotte Rampling, one person – I’d like to hear from white nominees, studio heads – let’s hear from them. Name me one studio head who’s gone on the record and said anything.”
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