Perhaps one of the most unsavory kickoffs to 2015, the recently released Oscar nominations has been an achromatic blast from the past: comparable to the Oscar nominations of 2011, only white candidates were nominated across all acting categories.
The lack of diversity among the Oscar nominees is a reflection of the small speaking roles that non-white ethnic groups receive: In a study of 600 popular films conducted by USC from 2007 to 2011, “Just over a quarter (25.9%) of the 3,932 speaking characters evaluated were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups”
The racial homogeneity of the actors on screen is contradictory to the great ethnic variance of the United States, an ungracious jab to the diverse audiences that inflate Hollywood’s pockets and contribute to the popularity of the movie industry.
One would think in an age and nation of grossing diversity, ethnicities would be properly represented in media-an interest of the general public. It is distressing that Hollywood is still a monolith, exclusive realm, it not only undermines the artists of the big screen, but it disrespects the audience that indulges in them.
In order for diversity to be achieved in the film industry, it is imperative that minorities infiltrate the system: work to become Academy members, support film bureaus that promote ethnic film achievements, and become directors. The only way change can be achieved is through accumulative participation.
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