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# Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith Refuse To Attend #OscarsSoWhite

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/gzurYtS1.m3u8" -->
## Video: Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith Refuse To Attend #OscarsSoWhite

[Watch (HLS stream): Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith Refuse To Attend #OscarsSoWhite](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/gzurYtS1.m3u8) (1:22)

![Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith Refuse To Attend #OscarsSoWhite](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/gzurYtS1/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2016-01-18. Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith will not attend the Academy Awards after it was announced that all 20 contenders in the acting categories were white._


---

Jul 27, 2023 7:28 PM UTC

---

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### Spike Lee on Gentrification

[Spike Lee: the Making of "Red Hook Summer"](/video/RJZGBPpV/)

### Spike Lee: the Making of "Red Hook Summer"

---


## Transcript

Spike Lee, the honorary Oscar recipient, rejected his invite to attend the 88th annual academy awards due to the lack of diversity among the nominees. In an Instagram post attached to a photo of a young MLK, Lee said " How is it possible for the second consecutive year, all 20 contenders under the actor category are white ?" Hey Chris. I will not be at the academy awards, and I won't be watching, but I can't think of a better man to do the job at hand this year than you, my friend. Good luck. And to the rest of you, nothing but love, always. Jada Pink and Smith follow SOUP with a shout out to host Chris Rock as she forfeited her invite as well.

The actress called on the black community to remember they are powerful people. Who should consider making programs that are just as good as the so- called mainstream. I found a disease that no one has ever seen. Some consider her husband Will Smith snubbed for best actor nomination for his role in concussion, along with Idris Elba for his role in Beasts of No Nation, both of whom were nominated for Golden Globes. Other notable snubs include a best director nod for Creed's Ryan Coogler. And Samuel L Jackson for the Hateful Eight. Got room for one more. The lack of diversity resurrected last year's social media campaign Oscars so white.

Due to hollywood's biggest night being what Spike Lee called lily white.

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