Credit where credit’s due. Jada Pinkett Smith tweeted support to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, on Tuesday, January 19.
Will Smith‘s wife, who announced her plan to boycott the upcoming 88th Academy Awards on Monday, tweeted two short but positive messages after Isaacs’ lengthy statement was released, in which she declared herself “heartbroken” over the lack of diversity in the 2016 noms.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Academy, specifically Cheryl Boone Isaacs,” Pinkett Smith tweeted late on Monday evening, “for such a quick response in regard to the issue at hand. I look forward to the future.”
I would like to express my gratitude to the Academy, specifically Cheryl Boone Isaacs, (pt 1)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 20, 2016
As reported previously, Jada (whose husband did not receive a nomination for his lead role in Concussion despite receiving a Golden Globe nomination) showed her distaste for this year’s all-white nominations list by announcing her plans to avoid the 2016 Oscars via a Facebook video.
for such a quick response in regard to the issue at hand. I look forward to the future. (pt 2)
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 20, 2016
“I can’t help but ask the question: Is it time that people of color recognize how much power [and] influence we have amassed that we no longer need to ask to be invited anywhere?” she said.
Director Spike Lee was in agreement. “#OscarsSoWhite… Again,” the 58-year-old former nominee wrote. “My Wife, Mrs. Tonya Lewis Lee And I Will Not Be Attending The Oscar Ceremony This Coming February. We Cannot Support It And Mean No Disrespect To My Friends, Host Chris Rock and Producer Reggie Hudlin, President Isaacs And The Academy. But, How Is It Possible For The 2nd Consecutive Year All 20 Contenders Under The Actor Category Are White?”
Academy president Isaacs responded to the Oscars’ critics earlier on Tuesday. “While we celebrate [the nominees’] extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion,” she said in a statement. “This is a difficult but important conversation, and it’s time for big changes. The Academy is taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup of our membership. In the coming days and weeks we will conduct a review of our membership recruitment in order to bring about much-needed diversity in our 2016 class and beyond.”
