I'm sure many of you have seen or at least heard about Jada Pinkett Smith's video about boycotting the Oscars for their lack of acknowledgement and recognition of black and latino talent this year. I initially ignored it when it popped up on my social media feed, but it seems as though the video has conjured up quite the response.
Not only did Cheryl Boone Isaacs, a fellow African American and the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science respond, stating that she's both frustrated and heartbroken over the lack of diversity. Former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star, Janet Hubert, also responded by releasing a video where she had no sympathy for Will Smith in particular for not being nominated and stated that asking fellow actresses and actors to boycott the Oscars is putting them in an awkward position as these are co-workers and industry people they are likely to work with again.
Regardless on your stance on what Jada Pinkett Smith said in her video and what may or may not have been her motive, she expressed her opinion and her truth regardless of the consequences. Does she actually believe that all blacks will boycott the Oscars? Of course not, but at the end of the day, she stated facts. None of 20 nominees in the acting category are black.
The same can be said for Janet Hubert. Whatever her motive for releasing her statement, she expressed her truth regardless of what people would think or say. And that is my message to you today. If you can't stand up for your own truth, your own worth, then who will? You can't let anybody else determine your worth and you can't solely be motivated by external recognition of your work either. Of course, everyone wants that acknowledgement of a job well done, and if that acknowledgement comes with a trophy, even better. But what drives you needs to come from within.
So what I urge each and everyone to do is to find their WHY, that thing that will keep you going when the going gets tough, that thing that made you fall in love with your craft in the first place. Once you have that foundation, don't let anyone rock it for nothing. As long as the expression of your gift is rooted in love, you can't go wrong. Get yours!
Be blessed!
