Spike Lee bashes Hollywood

Spike Lee is going to go down in history as the director that never backed down and was never afraid of saying what he believes in. Ever since he created culture shocking movies such as Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X, Spike Lee has become a major spokesperson for African Americans and African Americans in Hollywood. So, Lee's recent statements at the 7th annual Governor's Awards should not come as a surprise.

In a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter, Spike Lee was accepting an honorary Oscar. Lee said, during his acceptance speech, “It's easier to be the president of the United States as a black person than to be the head of a studio.”

But, surprisingly Spike Lee was not alone. The Academy president, Boone Isaacs, said, “When it comes to fair and equal representation in our industry, words are are not enough.” “We also have a responsibility to take action and we have an unique opportunity to do so now.”

The Academy's new initiative to increase diversity is not a surprise following last year's controversial awards ceremony. In 2014, after the critically acclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma was snubbed and following the news that very few minorities were nominated for an Academy Award, civil rights groups were calling for the boycott of the Oscars and protests outside of the award show. In addition, a 2012 investigation by the Los Angeles Times found Academy members were 94 percent white and 77 percent male. It is interesting to point out that a study was published last year and found that 34% of people believe Hollywood has a problem with minorities.

Isaacs admitted that this year is the most diverse group ever with 17 of the 51 members of the board of governors for the Oscars are now women.

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