Stacey Dash spoke up recently on the backlash created in Hollywood when the Oscar nominations were announced–and left out any actor or actress of color despite several successful films in 2015–and said that if we want things to be equal, we need to get rid of exclusionary programs and television channels.
“I think it’s ludicrous. Because we have to make up our minds. Either we want segregation or integration…If we don’t want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET, and the BET Awards and the Image Awards, where you’re only awarded if you’re black. If it were the other way around, we would be up in arms. It’s a double standard,” Dash said on Fox & Friends.
Several A-list actors have boycotted the Oscars this year, including George Clooney and Will and Jada Smith, who say that the lack of nominations for people of color is outrageous. Lupita Nyong’o also lent her voice to the conversation via Instagram, posting a message about her disappointment in the Academy.
While Stacey Dash’s views may be more controversial than others, many actors are joining in the fight to have black actors heard, including Idris Elba. Elba delivered a speech to Parliament on diversity in the media earlier this week, saying that diversity of thought is just as important as skin color.
“I’m here to talk about diversity. Diversity in the modern world is more than just skin color—It’s gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, social background, and – most important of all, as far as I’m concerned – diversity of thought. Because if you have genuine diversity of thought among people making TV & film, then you won’t accidentally shut out any of the groups I just mentioned,” Elba said.