Hollywood's Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has apologized to Asians for a racially insensitive skit during last month's Oscar show. It also added three new governors to its 51-member board and appointed six minority members to other leadership positions in its latest response to the 'OscarsSoWhite' diversity crisis.
In a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, double Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, "Star Trek" actor George Takei, and more than 20 other people criticized the "tasteless and offensive skits" regarding Asians. They also insisted people of all races should be portrayed with dignity.
Hosted by Chris Rock, the show dipped to an eight-year ratings low and offended at least two dozen Asian academy members with skits that played on Asian stereotypes.
The academy on Tuesday released a statement saying it "regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive." The letter also referred to the OscarsSoWhite campaign for inclusion and diversity.
After a meeting of the organization's Board of Governors, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced new appointees, including actor Gael Garcia Bernal, cinematographer Amy Vincent, and producer Effie Brown. The new governors are Gregory Nava, screenwriter for the film "Frida"; Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who directed "Kung-Fu Panda"; and Reginald Hudlin, who produced the most recent Academy Awards.
"This organization, the Academy, has been active for the last three, four years about including new and different voices – filmmakers, whether of gender or race or national origin – we want them at the table. We want them in the room. We want them to be part of our community and our conversation," Isaacs said.
The board also ratified other changes proposed in January aimed at increasing diversity within the academy's ranks, including limiting Oscar voting rights to those active in the movie business.
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