Charlotte Rampling has recently issued statements implying that black artists and others who plan to boycott the coming Oscars are themselves racist. Placing herself in the center of the present controversy, she says this action of black artists and celebrities is "racist to white people."

The 69-year old Rampling is nominated for Best Actress in this year's Academy Awards for her role in the movie "45 years." She is competing for the same award with the likes of Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson, Saoirse Ronan and Jennifer Lawrence - all of whom are white.

"One can never really know, but perhaps the black actors did not deserve to make the final list," the 69-year old said in an interview with Europe 1, a radio station in France. She added that the list of Oscar nominees contained only white actors and actresses because of legitimate reasons.

The current issue has sparked controversy regarding Oscars' failure to nominate not even one non-white actor or actress. This was condemned by movie celebrities such as Spike Lee, George Clooney and others.

Speaking his mind concerning the issue, Michael Caine, veteran British actor, advised black artists to be patient because, in time, their recognition will come. In an interview with BBC, he noted that there are many strong performances made by colored actors which were not recognized by not being included in the list of nominees. He mentioned Idris Elba of the "Beasts of No Nation" as an example.

Caine, who won two best supporting actor Oscar awards advised colored artists to be patient. "Of course it will come. It took me years to get an Oscar, years," he emphasized.

But Rampling's words seem to be not as kind as those of Caine's. She said in the Europe 1 interview "...but perhaps the black actors did not deserve to make the final list."