Viola Davis at SAG Awards: ‘Diversity Is Not a Trending Topic’ (Video)

Viola Davis responded to the “OscarsSoWhite” campaign at the SAG Awards by saying actors of color would find ways to be excellent whether the Oscars recognize them or not.

“We have become a society of trending topics,” she said. “Diversity is not a trending topic. It’s just not. I’ve always considered myself an actor since I got my equity card in 1988. I’ve never put any limitations on myself. I felt like I can play… any character in Chekhov, in Shakespeare, in Miller, in August Wilson — I see myself as an actor.”

Davis, named Best Actress in a Drama Series for “How to Get Away With Murder,” added that “no matter what is going on in the business, I will find a way to practice my art. And all of the actors of color that I know don’t place any limitations on themselves either.”

Diversity was on display in several SAG categories, with two trophies for Idris Elba (Best Supporting Actor for “Beasts of No Nation” and Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for “Luther”), a win for Queen Latifah in “Bessie,” Uzo Aduba for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and the entire cast of “Orange is The New Black” for Comedy Ensemble.

SAG is a diverse voting body itself, noted TheWrap’s Awards Editor Steve Pond. This year’s Oscar nominees for acting, meanwhile, were so white that they inspired the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag and a boycott campaign.

“Regardless of what is going on with the Academy, regardless of what is going on in Hollywood, they will find a way to be excellent,” Davis said of her fellow actors of color. “We always have and we always will.”

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