During the 2016 Oscars, Chris Rock joked about the lack of diversity among nominees.
Shortly after a video segment on what Oscar nominated movies would look like with black actors, Rock introduced actress Stacey Dash to the stage as the Academy's new "director of our minority outreach program."
"I cannot wait to help my people out," Dash said. "Happy Black History Month. Thank you."
The actress called for an end to black history month, in the past, among other controversial remarks, so her appearance was particularly odd for some viewers.
Dash seemed uncomfortable herself, wishing everyone a happy black history month in between giggles.
Dash walked off the stage as quickly as she appeared, but model Chrissy Teigen expressed what many people felt about the moment.
People reported that Dash responded to criticism of her appearance in a blog post she tweeted as soon as she left the stage.
"We need to stop complaining about white people oppressing us," Dash wrote. "We shouldn’t boycott the Oscars, and we need to support Chris Rock the host."
In response to the joke, Dash, who is multiracial, said, "When they added me to increase the diversity, I’m sure many black people rolled their eyes. I’m not 'black enough,' they say. But guess what? I’ve heard that all my life. I would rather be a free thinking, black than a cookie cutter black who thinks – and votes – just like all my friends."
Dash said her appearance was a new beginning and new introduction to the public at large.
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