Academy Apologises For Asian Jokes At The Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has made an official apology for the jokes aimed at Asian people during this year’s ceremony.

The move came after it received a letter of protest signed by 25 AMPAS members, including Oscar-winning director Ang Lee.

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The statement read: “The Academy appreciates the concerns stated, and regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive. We are committed to doing our best to ensure that material in future shows be more culturally sensitive.”

As well as Lee, the letter, which was delivered ahead of an AMPAS board meeting, was signed by Oscar-winner Chris Tashima and other former governors.

Actors Sandra Oh and Geore Takei also signed.

The letter read:

“We are writing as Academy members of Asian descent to express our complete surprise and disappointment with the targeting of Asians at the 88th Oscars telecast and its perpetuation of racist stereotypes. In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and diversity. Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf approach to its portrayal of Asians.

“We’d like to know how such tasteless and offensive skits could have happened and what process you have in place to preclude such unconscious or outright bias and racism toward any group in future Oscars telecasts. We look forward to hearing from you about this matter and about the concrete steps to ensure that all people are portrayed with dignity and respect.

“We are proud that the Oscars reach several hundred million people around the world of whom 60% are Asians and potential moviegoers.”

During this year’s show, Chris Rock used a group of Asian children for one scripted joke – seemingly without the prior knowledge of their parents – introducing them as the Oscars’ ‘accountants’.

He added: “If anybody is upset about this joke, just tweet about it on your phone, which was also made by these kids.“

Sacha Baron Cohen delivered another joke, which was reportedly ad-libbed.

Image credits: Mashable/Getty/People