The issue of diversity has finally made its way to the Oscars, and Chris Rock will be on hand to tackle the problem with a few words from his opening statement.
According to Reginald Hudlin, the producer of the prestigious award show, host Chris Rock will change his opening remarks and possibly everything he plans to say throughout the whole show. Hudlin says he expects whatever Chris Rock is working on to be so exciting that folks will be talking about it long after the awards night is over.
"Chris is hard at work. He and his writing staff locked themselves in a room. As things got a little provocative and exciting, he said, 'I'm throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show,'" said Hudlin.
"Chris is that thorough," added Hudlin. "He's that brilliant, and I have 1000 percent confidence that he will deliver something that people will be talking about for weeks."
Hudlin also stated folks should expect several jokes regarding the diversity issue facing the Oscars right now. In fact, the Academy is actually ready and waiting with bated breath for him to do it. He said Chris Rock knows what the Academy needs, and they also know what the public wants, and as such, will deliver.
Still, the comedian is not waiting until the Oscars to crack a few jokes. He did so on Twitter recently where he called the Oscars the "White BET Awards." Several folks attacked Rock on his Twitter account for the joke while others hope that he sends the right message.
The issue of the Oscars not being welcoming to black people where nominations are concerned was first brought up earlier this year by Jada Pinkett Smith after her husband, Will Smith, was not nominated for his leading role in the film "Concussion." Some black celebrities have come out to support the cause, but not everyone is willing to take part.
At the end of the day, there's some good news. We understand that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to change the way things are done. It plans to have a more diverse voting membership and is also making moves to double the amount of diverse and women voters by the year 2020.
Photo: David Shankbone | Flickr
