Calls For Oscar Boycott Sparks Debate On Role Of African Americans In Hollywood
(CBS) -- Calls for a boycott on Oscar night have sparked a war of words between two African American actresses.
The debate centers on the role of all African-American actors in Hollywood.
In this Original report, CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez has more on the snubs, and the slams that have followed the shut out of black actors on Oscar night.
This drama starts with the Oscar nominations, not a single African American among them.
It's led by Jada Pinkett Smith, the wife of actor Will Smith, who starred in Concussion, who took to Twitter calling for a boycott of the Academy Awards.
Her husband's former Fresh Prince co-star, Janet Hubert, was having none of that. The Julliard educated actress from Chicago's Englewood neighborhood blasted the power couple on YouTube.
"You are part of Hollywood, you are part of the system that is unfair to other actors, so get real," she said.
CBS 2 talked to Hubert via Skype this afternoon.
"I've not seen them stand up for very much at all, but when it comes time to I didn't get my nomination, then I'm screaming," Hubert said.
When asked if she thinks the boycott will get traction, Hubert said, "If you want to not go, then don't go but you can't ask other actors just to jeopardize their lives and their livelihood."
Hubert says it isn't about bad blood between her and Will Smith.
"It's about either you stand up all the way or you just be quiet," she said. "If you're going just to win an award, then you're in the wrong business."
Daryl Brooks is with Chicago's Black Ensemble Theater.
"It's not about winning the Academy Awards," he said. "It's not even about being acknowledged. Nine chances out of 10 you won't be acknowledged. It's all about making art, it's all about doing good things and bringing who we are as a people to the stage."
Still, he is frustrated by the academy's snub of several worthy performances from Michael Jordan in Creed, to Will Smith in Concussion and Idris Elba in Beasts of No Nation.
Brooks says his message to Hollywood is, "Open your eyes and see the greatness of who we are."
