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The hosts revisit the 2016 "Oscars So White" controversy, where Jada Pinkett Smith called for a boycott while Chris Rock was hosting. They argue this created long-standing tension, as the boycott put Rock in a position where he would look like a "sellout" if he joined or a target if he didn't.
In a 2016 video, Jada Pinkett Smith questions whether people of color should stop asking for invitations to mainstream institutions like the Oscars. She advocates for the Black community to build its own programs and resources rather than begging for acknowledgment, while specifically addressing Chris Rock as the host.
April Rainn explains how she created the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag in 2015 after no people of color were nominated in major acting categories. She details the transition of the movement from a snarky Twitter comment to a substantive push for institutional change within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
In a past interview, Will Smith claims he was unaware Jada was going to post her 2016 boycott video but supported her "call to action." He expresses that his family felt a responsibility to be part of the solution to Hollywood's diversity problem, though the hosts remain skeptical of his genuine involvement.
April Reign, a member of the "She Will Rise" collective, is identified as the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag in 2015. This movement led to significant changes in the Academy's diversity requirements but also created a rift with Chris Rock, who hosted the Oscars during the 2016 boycott. Mo links this historical tension to the recent Will Smith slap, suggesting the conflict between the Smiths and Rock has roots in this diversity advocacy.
