Viola Davis on the Oscars race row as she says if you want to watch the ceremony

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Viola Davis won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a TV Drama for her role on How to Get Away With Murder
While speaking with reporters backstage, she expressed her opinion about the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag and people boycotting the ceremony
Davis said: 'We have become a society of trending topics. Diversity is not a trending topic. It's just not'
She added that if people watch the show it's fine and if they don't it's fine
See more of the latest news on the Oscars race row and celebrity boycott

Published: 02:06 EST, 31 January 2016 | Updated: 10:20 EST, 31 January 2016

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After taking home the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a TV Drama, Viola Davis commented about Hollywood's diversity problem backstage.

While speaking with reporters, the 50-year-old actress expressed her opinion about those who are boycotting the upcoming ceremony, and the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag that has been used across social media concerning the lack of diversity.

'We have become a society of trending topics. Diversity is not a trending topic. It's just not,' Davis stated.

'I've always considered myself an actor since I got my equity card in 1988. I've never put any limitations on myself.

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All smiles: Actress Viola Davis accepts the Female Actor in a Drama Series award for 'How to Get Away with Murder' onstage during The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday

After taking home the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a TV Drama, Viola Davis commented about Hollywood's diversity problem backstage

'I felt like I can play Chekov, any character in Chekov, in Shakespeare, in Miller, in August Wilson. I see myself as an actor.

'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 limitations on themselves either.

'So 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. We always have and we always will.'

The Emmy-winning actress was asked if she thought that the popular ceremony should be boycotted, like Jada Pinkett Smith and others have promised to do.

Before responding, she let out a laugh and said she thinks 'people should do what they want to do with the Oscars.'

Davis said: 'We have become a society of trending topics. 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'

'If they want to watch it, that's fine. If they don't, that's fine. I think more importantly, when you walk into a theater, whether it be a movie theater or a live theater, be open to the experience of the story.

'I think that sometimes people feel like stories about people of color are not inclusive. They are very much inclusive. I mean, the work of August Wilson — which really, pretty much made my career — is everyone's story.'

Davis explained further that when people watch her character on How to Get Away With Murder, they realize that 'she's not just a black woman.'

'She is a woman going through her life, you know? And I feel like people forget that in our business, we can't act in a room: You need the actor, you need the writer, you need the director, and finally, you need the audience.

The Emmy-winning actress was asked if she thought that the popular ceremony should be boycotted, like Jada Pinkett Smith and others have promised to do. Before responding, she let out a laugh and said she thinks 'people should do what they want to do with the Oscars'

'So I'm just saying, plop your money down to see Race, to see Dope, to see Straight Outta Compton, to see Selma, to support directors like Ava DuVernay, Lee Daniels, Spike Lee… Their stories are just as valid and as important as anyone else.

'More important than boycotting is openness.'

When Davis became the first black woman to win the Lead Actress in a Drama award back in September, she said: 'The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.

'You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.'