Kerry Washington explains why she decided to attend Oscars

Kerry Washington elegantly explained her reasons for attending the Academy Awards in the face of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy on the red carpet Sunday night. Though several of her contemporaries decided to boycott the event, she told Robin Roberts that she believes her "voice is best used at the table."

"As a new member of the Academy, I want to be a part of the conversation so there is institutional change, so we never have a year like this again."

The two women went on to discuss the importance of a variety of perspectives in films.

"You need all those voices at the table. It’s about women, about people of color, its about age."

Washington said she respects those not in attendance and tweeted her support for the #JusticeForFlint and director Ava DuVernay, who thanked her for financially backing the event.