Kerry Washington Showed Up To The Oscars So 'We Never Have A Year Like This Again'

Only she could turn a routine red carpet interview into an eloquent point on the state of the film industry today.
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Kerry Washington attended the Oscars on Sunday night with a message in mind. As other prominent people of color in the film industry like Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee chose to boycott the award show, the "Scandal" star explained, only as Kerry can, the reason why she showed up to the ceremony.

"A lot of people have asked me why I'm here tonight, and the thing I'm thinking about is, if you look at the history of movements, the history of change, a lot of the voices are needed at the table," Washington told Robin Roberts on the red carpet. "I really respect and actually admire some of the people who are not here tonight, I really get it, but for me, I felt like my voice -- in my heart -- my voice is best used at the table."

"As a new member of the Academy -- I joined the Academy about three years ago -- I really want to be part of the conversation to make sure there's institutional change," she continued, "so that we never have a year like this again, so that we can be as inclusive as possible."

Only she could turn a routine red carpet interview into an eloquent point on the state of the film industry today. Making the personal political, Washington-style.

Consider it #handled.

Before You Go

Jennifer Lawrence

Oscars Red Carpet 2016

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