When the 2016 Oscar nominees were announced, the nation was surprised to find that every actor or actress in the top four categories was white. This being the second year in a row, tension over diversity and Hollywood white washing was more prevalent than ever resulting in social media hashtags such as #OscarsSoWhite and discussions among major media icons about film and media representation.

The outrage was followed by a pledge from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to change the way it selects its members and chooses nominees. This was met with both support and criticism, some applauding the action as overdue and vital and others claiming that the current AMPAS goal of increasing diversity is “racist to whites.”

Many high profile celebrities joined the conversation, most supporting the decision to diversify. Director Spike Lee was one of the first to speak out, announcing on Instagram that he and his wife “[could] not support the awards” and asking, “How is it possible for the second consecutive year all 20 contenders under the actor category are white?”

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, David Oyelowo, Mark Ruffalo, and Ice Cube all agreed, also speaking out against the lack of diversity.

George Clooney went even further, claiming that not only should minority actors be considered for more awards, but that there are not enough roles for minorities in the first place.

Steve McQueen, the only black director to have ever won an Oscar for Best Picture, told The Guardian he hoped that “in 12 months or so we can look back and say this was a watershed moment, and thank God we put that right.”