14 Hollywood stars who have challenged the Academy's diversity issues

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) just admitted 683 new actors, filmmakers, and executives to their Class of 2016. Among them, 44% are people of color, raising the overall representation in the organization from 8% to 11%. 

"We encourage the larger creative community to open its doors wider, and create opportunities for anyone interested in working in this incredible and storied industry," wrote Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

According to these 14 Hollywood stars, though, there's still a long way to go.

Viola Davis

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"The problem is not with the Oscars — the problem is with the Hollywood movie-making system," Davis said in an interview with ET in January. "The films that are being made, are the big-time producers thinking outside of the box in terms of how to cast the role? Can you cast a black woman in that role? Can you cast a black man in that role?"

Ava DuVernay

Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

The "Selma" director tweeted on Janurary 22nd that "Marginalized artists have advocated for Academy change for DECADES. Actual campaigns. Calls voiced FROM THE STAGE. Deaf ears. Closed minds."

Steve McQueen

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"I'm hoping in 12 months or so we can look back and say this was a watershed moment, and thank God we put that right," he told The Guardian earlier this year. "The real issue is movies being made. Decisions being made by heads of studios, TV companies and cable companies about what is and is not being made."

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