Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Beauty Contests: Should African Americans Push For Inclusion?

The racial controversy surrounding this year's Academy Awards prompted many African Americans to consider whether all of America's cultural recognition programs should be boycotted. Are any of these awards programs truly multi-cultural representations of the artistic, creativity and beauty of any other than those reflecting European based culture and values? Should African Americans push for representation and inclusion in these programs, or should African Americans do as actress Jada Pinkett Smith suggests and step away from these programs and focus instead on developing and supporting their own? Does culture influence business and politics?