Join Lupita Nyong’o, George Clooney, And Spike Lee To Call Out The Academy

On Monday, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Cheryl Boone Isaacs issued a statement saying she is “both heartbroken and frustrated” by the lack of diversity in the Oscar nominations. She’s responding to the fact that this year’s nominees do not include a single woman director or black actor despite great work by diverse filmmakers, actors, screenwriters, and cinematographers. And we couldn’t agree with her more.

After all, this year’s lack of diversity is nothing new. The Academy Awards has consistently lagged behind the population on issues of representation. Since the Awards started in 1929, only 6.7 percent of acting nominations have gone to “non-white actors.” And only one woman has ever been named “Best Director.”

That’s why this week, we encourage you to check out this infographic from TIME and share it whether on Twitter, Facebook, or by sending this message to a friend. This is not to say the people or work nominated don’t deserve to be celebrated. However, let us remind Academy voters and the entertainment community in general that our population is so much more diverse than meets their eye. Together, we can raise awareness and challenge the outdated and harmful status quo perpetuated by The Academy Awards and Hollywood.

Onwards,
Jennifer Siebel Newsom & The Representation Project team


#NotBuyingIt Campaign Causes Scholastic to Pull Racist Kids Book

Screen Shot 2016-01-15 at 12.52.02 PMScholastic’s children’s book, A Birthday Cake for George Washington, tells the story of happy slaves who make their master a birthday cake. Its revisionism whitewashes American history and within two days of our #NotBuyingIt campaign, Scholastic pulled the book. Learn more.


Around The Web

“The Academy must expand its voter base in order to reflect true diversity.” – Jennifer Siebel Newsom, TIME

  • The Atlantic: ‘Boys Have Deep Emotional Lives’
  • Fast Company: Why Axe is Toning Down The Bro And Aiming to Reflect Modern Masculinity
  • Feministing: New York City Council Member Shuts Down Victim Blaming In Two Minutes Flat
  • The Telegraph: David Bowie Bent Gender Rules And Changed Life For Us ‘Freaks And Queers’
  • Washington Post: The Internet Shamed Ciara For The Dress She Wore To The National Title Game

AlanRickman

Remembering Alan Rickman via The Mask You Live In‘s Instagram