Racial Segregation in Hollywood? #OscarsSoWhite Sees Celebs to Boycott

After receiving an honorary Oscar award in November 2015, Lee expected his movie "Chi-Raq" to be nominated, which did not occur. Pinkett Smith's husband, two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith, was also passed over for his lead role in "Concussion."

Last Thursday the list of nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards was revealed, prompting outrage by many in the business for what they claim is unfair judging.

Lee expressed his gratitude to film academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs for last year's trophy, but will not attend the ceremony, according to his Instagram.

"We Cannot Support It And Mean No Disrespect To My Friends, Host Chris Rock and Producer Reggie Hudlin, President Isaacs And The Academy. But, How Is It Possible For The 2nd Consecutive Year All 20 Contenders Under The Actor Category Are White?" Lee wrote, noting it was a timely question to ask on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. "And Let's Not Even Get Into The Other Branches. 40 White Actors In 2 Years And No Flava At All. We Can't Act?! WTF!"

The film director called for more diversity in the industry, stressing that it's the responsibility of the Hollywood executive suite to greenlight more different kinds of movies. Lee pointed out in November that black actors tend to play only security guards.

"The Truth Is We Ain't In Those Rooms And Until Minorities Are, The Oscar Nominees Will Remain Lilly White," Lee said.

Smith brought up the topic on Martin Luther King Jr. Day saying: "Is it time that people of color recognize how much power, influence that we have amassed, that we no longer need to ask to be invited anywhere?"

Pinkett Smith posted to Twitter, "At the Oscars…people of color are always welcomed to give out awards…even entertain. But we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of color refrain from participating all together? People can only treat us in the way in which we allow. With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment."

Media has been buzzing about the all-white Oscar nominee list, posting messages like, "And the Oscar goes to…a white person!"

The Academy did not immediately respond to Pinkett Smith and Lee's announcements.

Last week, Academy president Isaacs told Deadline she was "disappointed" that films such as "Beasts of No Nation," starring Idris Elba, and hip-hop epic "Straight Outta Compton," were left out.

"This has been a great year in film, it really has across the board. You are never going to know what is going to appear on the sheet of paper until you see it," she said.

Not everyone supports #OscarsSoWhite. Some opponents of the movement lay the blame for being left off the Academy ballot, an organization known to be about 94% white,  as simply being the complaints of those who are bitter and untalented.