The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has got some some explaining to do.
After announcing big changes to its voting membership in order to improve diversity, the film organization posted a new set of Frequently Asked Questions to its site, the Wrap reports.
[seealso slug="academy-announces-sweeping-changes-to-improve-diversity-after-oscarssowhite"]
The new FAQ addresses updates in the organization's membership rules, which include revoking a member's voting status if they haven't been active in film for over a decade. Many longtime members have voiced their anger with these changes, penning responses to the updates and the accusations of racism in columns for the Hollywood Reporter. One member, Stephen Verona, wrote that to be "lumped in as 'racist' by the likes of Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith is totally out of line."
Member Stephen Geller writes that the 10-year policy is "illogical, irrelevant and unwittingly insulting." Member Mark Reina, who identifies as a gay Latino man, says he was "baffled" by the board's choice of updates.
Now you see why the Academy has to update its FAQ page.
The new page debunks concerns that the Academy is excluding older members from voting, and further explains what it means to be "active in motion pictures." It also explains that the changes were made in order to "strengthen, uphold, and maintain the credibility of the Oscars." The new changes come around after outrage over the lack of nonwhite acting nominees over two years.
You can read all the FAQs here, or look at the screenshots below.
