This is Far Beyond Me: Will Smith on #OscarsSoWhite

This is far beyond me. This has nothing to do with me, this has nothing to do with awards, says Will Smith.

Will Smith with wife Jada Pinkett-Smith during the 2014 Oscars. (Photo: AP)

After Will Smith added fuel to the debate on the #OscarsSoWhite issue by announcing that he won’t be attending the Academy Awards with wife Jada Pinkett Smith, the Academy’s president made an important announcement.

A historic list of changes to voting membership guidelines was announced to limit inactive members and encourage a wide-ranging voting pool.

While saying that he was very pleased with how quickly the Academy responded, Smith also went on to counter critics who had said that the actor was merely miffed at not being nominated for his film Concussion.

I want to be very clear about the spirit of what I’m saying. This is far beyond me. This has nothing to do with me, this has nothing to do with awards, that’s a really frivolous reason for me to put my hand up and make a statement. For me this is much more about the idea of diversity and inclusion.

<b>Will Smith, Hollywood actor&nbsp;</b>

For more, read the report here.