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Published January 16, 2015

Al Sharpton is being questioned for calling for an emergency meeting of his "diversity task force" Thursday after the Academy Awards nominated only white actors.

The lack of diversity in todays Oscar nominations is appalling, and while it is good that 'Selma' was nominated for Best Picture, its ironic that they nominated a story about the racial shutout around voting while there is a racial shutout around the Oscar nominations, Sharpton said in a statement. With all of the talent in 'Selma' and other Black movies this year, it is hard to believe that we have less diversity in the nominations today than in recent history.

Sharpton said he will meet next week with allies to discuss "potential actions" ahead or during the Feb. 22 award show.

The Academy's female African American president Cheryl Isaac Burke said she does not believe there is a diversity problem.

"No, not at all," she told Vulture when asked about this year's list of nominees. "The good news is that the wealth of talent is there, and it's being discussed, and it's helpful so much for talent whether in front of the camera or behind the camera to have this recognition, to have this period of time where there is a lot of publicity, a lot of chitter-chatter."

Syndicated columnist Deroy Murdock told FOX News Sharpton should focus his efforts elsewhere.

"Given all the problems facing black Americans today, it seems Al Sharpton ought to organize a whole bunch of emergency meetings on real emergencies before he has a total freak out over how the Academy Awards are playing themselves out," Murdock said.

The Blaze's Amy Holmes told FOX News she saw Sharpton's point, but said he did not go far enough. "I think it's ridiculous, it's absurd, it's appalling that not only African Americans, Hispanic Americans and the whole artistic creative community wouldn't be represented at the Oscars," she said, but also added: "We know with Mr. Sharpton, that he's never seen a racial controversy that he couldn't exploit."

Oscar-snubbed actress Jessica Chastain expressed her concerns over the nominations when she accepted her Most Valuable Player honor at the Critics Choice Awards Thursday night.

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