The British Academy Film Awards faced a lot of criticism for the lack of diversity and even the hashtag #BaftasSoWhite trended on Twitter the day the ceremony was organised.
Joaquin Phoenix who got the ‘Best Actor Award’ for his role in ‘Joker’ criticised the awards during his acceptance speech.
He said, “Because so many of my fellow actors who are deserving don’t have that same privilege. We send a very clear message to people of colour that ‘you’re not welcome here.'”
He added, “I don’t think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment. People just want to be acknowledged and appreciated and respected for their work. I’m ashamed to say that I’m part of the problem because I’ve not ensured that the sets I’ve worked on are inclusive. We have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. It is the obligation of the people who have created and benefit from the system of oppression to be the ones to dismantle it. So that’s on us.”
His speech certainly gained a lot of support with many celebrities taking to Twitter to appreciate the actor.
