Joacquin Phoenix calls out Bafta Awards organizers over racism in film industry

Joacquin Phoenix has called out the racism going on in the film industry while accepting his award for Leading Actor at the Bafta Awards 2020 in London.

The event which was heavily criticized for lacking diversity saw Joacquin Phoenix get a round of applause at the Royal Albert hall which also had members of the British Royal Family present.

Accepting the award which had only white nominees, Joacquin Phoenix who starred as Joker said:

"But I also feel conflicted," he said, sending the hall into a stunned silence. "So many of my fellow actors that are deserving don't have that same privilege

"I think we are sending a very clear message to people of colour that you're not welcome here. That's the message we are sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry in ways that we have benefitted from.

"I dont think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that's what we give ourselves every year."

He continued: "I think people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work," said Phoenix.

"This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I am ashamed to say that I am part of the problem. I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive.

"But I think it's more than just having sets that are multicultural. We have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism.

"I think that it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones who dismantle it - so that's on us."

Singer and actor, Tyrese reacted by listing the other sectors in America where people of color are shortchanged.

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Thank you Mr Phoenix for speaking UP and OUT about the real shit that matters... in 2020 are we still doing this as if no one notices...?? Private schools in LA where you look around the school campus and there are NO black people, or Latinos or Asians in your overall student body? [ yet you have your students reciting the words of DR MARTIN LUTHER KING and you’re staff and overall student body doesn’t reflect that??? We notice...... Award shows.. We notice..... Real jobs at studios in real EXECTUIVE roles... We notice.... 400 to 600 crew members on MOVIE SETS and the head of EVERY DEPT is white WE NOTICE!!!!!! We’re grateful but we want you to know that WE NOTICE!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Mr Phoenix we love you and appreciate you for using YOUR VOICE to really speak UP and OUT about it what really matters.... If Hollywood becomes more INTENTIONAL about correcting this problem things will really change.......

A post shared by TYRESE (@tyrese) on Feb 2, 2020 at 9:47pm PST

Other awards like Golden Globe, Oscars and Grammies have also gotten their own fair share of criticism for the treatment gotten by people of color.