“Considering that Alabama had its highest recruitment for the KKK for Martin Luther King’s birthday, I hope that we as African Americans can find a way to get along and step together,” Jada said as she revealed her true feelings when Entertainment Tonight asked her on Jan. 20 how she felt about Janet’s fiery remarks.
Then the actress got REALLY real about the whole situation and confirmed what we were already thinking. “Here’s the deal: This whole Oscars controversy isn’t really about the Oscars,” Jada revealed. “Really, it’s my plea to ask our community, people of color, to take back our power so that we can use it in all sectors of our community, and right now, specifically with African American people, we have some very serious issues that we as a people have to move together on.” Way to stand up for yourself and rise above pettiness, Jada!
In a powerful video posted to Facebook on Jan. 18, Jada vowed to boycott the 2016 Oscars due to lack of diversity in the Academy’s makeup and nominations. Will then announced on Good Morning America on Jan. 21 that he too will not attend nor watch the Oscars come February. While some members of the Hollywood community support their declaration, others are NOT happy, one being Janet, who played Will’s Aunt Vivian on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for three years.
She had so many feelings in fact that she posted her own video to Facebook on Jan. 18 responding to Jada’s “ridiculous” announcement and slamming her for asking other actors to participate in her boycott. “For you to ask other actors, and other black actresses and actors, too, to jeopardize their career…you know damn well you don’t do that,” she said. “And here’s the other thing — they don’t care! I find it ironic that somebody who has made their living, and made millions and millions of dollars from the very people you’re talking about boycotting just because you didn’t get a nomination, just because you didn’t win. That is not the way life works, baby.”
However, the Gotham actress decided to take the high road regarding Janet’s public criticism by refusing to comment on her warring words using aggression. Instead, she suggested we rise together as a community and put down the metaphorical weapons.
“I’m hoping that we can find ways to step together in this, instead of finding ways to fight each other,” she calmly said. “I got love for everybody.” Peace and love all the way, Jada! We respect your mature response to such an ugly video. Watch Janet’s entire rant below.
What do you think of Jada’s response to Janet’s diss, HollywoodLifers? Who do you agree with more?