We had a deep and meaningful [conversation].
This institution doesnt reflect its president and it doesnt reflect this room.
I am an Academy member and it doesnt reflect me, and it doesnt reflect this nation."
Robin Marchant/Getty Images; Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage; Jason Kempin/Getty Images; Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Images; Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
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.
As many of you know, we have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years.
es afterparty at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
But the change is not coming as fast as we would like.
We need to do more, and better and more quickly."
She also said when asked is the Academy should begin the use of quotas, Why classify people?
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
We live in a time now where everyone is more or less accepted."
Lets not forget it."
George Clooney
Oscar winner George Clooney spoke out in aninterview withVariety.
Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage
“he said of the Oscars' lack of diversity.
“I think we have a lot of points we need to come to terms with.
I find it amazing that were an industry that in the 1930s, most of our leads were women.
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And now a woman over 40 has a very difficult time being a lead in a movie.
Were seeing some movement.
But we should have been paying attention long before this.
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images
I think that African-Americans have a real fair point that the industry isnt representing them well enough.
I think thats absolutely true.”
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg took to Instagram to make his voice heard on the matter.
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What the f am I going to watch that bulls for?
They aint got no n nominated.
All these great movies and all this great s yall keep stealing from us.
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“So disappointed that some of 2015’s best films, filmmakers and performances were not recognized…
Nothing can diminish the quality of their work, but these filmmakers deserve recognition.
As an Academy member, I would love to see a more diverse voting membership.”
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
“I am disappointed by the lack of inclusion in this years Academy Award nominations,she wrote.
It has me thinking about unconscious prejudice and what merits prestige in our culture.
Im not going, my wifes not going.
Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Images
“Its in the executive office of the Hollywood studios and TV and cable networks.
This is where the gatekeepers decide what gets made and what gets jettisoned to turnaround or scrap heap.
This is whats important.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
Those with the green light vote.
Because every year we get all fired up and then the rest of the year no one says anything.
Its in your face all the time, when you go to the movies…
It pisses me off…
It’s not that people [doing the] nominating are too white.
They arent sitting there like that.
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People believe we dont want to see movies with black people in them.
Until you start making movies likeThe Avengerswhere you see more than 70 white folks saving the earth.
Come check me out at #TheOscars this year.
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They got me parking cars on G level.
It’s the executive level, where the money is being spent and the deals are being made.
These things are the underpinning of what happens in two weeks from now when someone gets a statue.”
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
Yes, they made us laugh.
Yes, they made us cry.
Yes, they made us angry.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
Yes, they made us think.
Yes, they are all black.
No, not one was nominated for the movie industry’s highest honor.”
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
He went on to add, “To my Academy colleagues, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.
I repeatit’s embarrassing.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
You want it to be diverse.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images
“I wantedStraight Outta Comptonto get something.
I think the more members of color that they put in, the minorities, the better.”
That is the worst kind.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Using such an ugly way of complaining…
The idea of a boycott is ridiculous.
Are their noses bent out of shape by the award nominations?
Robin Marchant/Getty Images
That is normal in a town of egos and red-carpet desires.
I say to all my co-members: Stop acting like spoiled brats.
Look to the next awards show for recognition if you deserve it.”
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
There are a couple of movies that may have [warranted attention] but… Its all subjective.
Its almost like the lottery… Its like every year people complain.
People even complain even when we have a lot of nominations.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
It is what it is.
Ive been in the game for 25 years.
You never know its the luck of the draw for you.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
To me, Im not surprised.
Im not disappointed either, as much as other people are disappointed.
Theres a whole elevation of work that happens.”
Monica Schipper/FilmMagic
If not, I’m not going to [present]…
I’ve been involved with Academy longer than I care to remember.
I was the first black board member.
I hate ‘first black,’ because that means ‘only’…
There are two ways to do it.
you could boycott or you could fix it.
It’s frightening to see 90 percent white and 80 percent white male."
Thats where Im at right now.
I woke up in the morning thinking, What is the right way to do this?
It isnt just the Academy Award.
The entire American system is rife with white privilege racism.
It goes into our justice system."
He later clarified his statement on Twitter, writing, “To clear up any confusion.
I will be going to the Oscars in support of the victims of clergy Sexual Abuse and good journalism.
And theres an even bigger gap between people who make TV, and people who watch TV.
I should know, I live in the TV world.
And although theres a lot of reality TV, TV hasnt caught up with reality.
Change is coming, but its taking its sweet time.”
I knew I wasnt going to land a lead role.
I knew there wasnt enough imagination in the industry for me to be seen as a lead.
Its funny women cant talk.
I sometimes wish I were African-American, because people dont bash them afterward.
Its the hardest to be a woman.
Feminists is something people hate above all.
Nothing worse than being a woman in this business.
I really believe that."
After facing backlash for her words,Delpy apologized in an exclusive statement to EW.
“Im very sorry for how I expressed myself.
I never intended to underestimate anyone elses struggle!
You cant vote for an actor because hes black.
You cant just say, Im going to vote for him.
Hes not very good, but hes black.
Ill vote for him.
You have to give a good performance.
I saw Idris, and I thought he was wonderful.
I thought he would get [nominated].
Did he not get nominated?
Could you imagine that happening now?
That is the start.
That is the root of the problem… Im not interested in just talking.
This is an important issue.
Its an us issue.
So, lets get on with it.
Theres no real debate is there…
Yes, there should be African Americans nominated this year but there should also be Mexicans.
We Academy members do not determine who gets nominated within some sort of conclave.
We all vote privately.
