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Academy President ‘Heartbroken’ That Only White People Were Nominated For Oscar

Kaitlan Collins Contributor
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Cheryl Boone Isaacs said she is disappointed that no black actors were nominated for an Oscar this year.

In a lengthy statement she issued after Jada Pinkett-Smith and Spike Lee announced they would boycott the awards show, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said she was frustrated by “the lack of inclusion.” (RELATED: Academy President: Hollywood Is A Bastion Of Free Speech And Diverse Opinions)

(Photo: Reuters)

(Photo: Reuters)

“I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful work of this year’s nominees,” she said. “While we celebrate their extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion. 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,” she added. (RELATED: Jada Pinkett-Smith Is Boycotting The Oscars Because They’re Too White)

 “As many of you know, we have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years. But the change is not coming as fast as we would like. We need to do more, and better and more quickly.”

“This isn’t unprecedented for the Academy,” she continued.

“In the ‘60s and ‘70s, it was about recruiting younger members to stay vital and relevant. In 2016, the mandate is inclusion in all of its facets: gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. We recognize the very real concerns of our community, and I so appreciate all of you who have reached out to me in our effort to move forward together.”

She added that “there’s been enough conversation,” and that it was time for them to take action. (RELATED: Spike Lee: I’m Skipping The Oscars Because Too Many White People Were Nominated)