Why Diversity in Hollywood Matters

Introduction

In the film industry, there is a serious lack of diversity including minorities such as people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, and even women. Increased diversity in the media is necessary because it allows individuals to broaden their minds and will help to create a more inclusive, understanding world. There is much to be addressed, such as the lack of representation in movie characters, the lack of diversity in filmmakers and directors, whitewashing, and stereotypes shown in film and television.

LGBT Representation

According to studies, in 2016, there was one transgender character in a major studio film release. In 2017, there were none. In 2016, 23 major studio releases had LGBT characters. In 2017, that number fell to just 14. The lack of LGBT representation in major Hollywood releases has been an issue since the beginning of Hollywood itself. While in 2018 films centered around LGBT characters such as Annihilation, Blockers, and Love, Simon have been released, there needs to be more. Young kids struggling with their gender and sexuality identity need characters they can relate to, and role models they can look up to.

Racial Representation

In 2016, University of Southern California did a study from 2007 to 2015 examining just how many characters in major films weren’t white. The results showed that a whopping 73.1% of those characters were white, with only 12.5% being black, 5.3% being Asian, 4.9 being Hispanic, and the remaining 4.2% being those of another race. Unfortunately, those numbers have hardly changed since. Black Panther, one of the highest grossing films of the year, shows very clearly that representation sells. So what’s the reason for the lack of diversity? This needs to change and we have to push Hollywood to include more diverse casts and support groups fighting for this.

Gender Representation

You might remember the Golden Globes last year when Natalie Portman, a well known American actress, pointed out that there were no women nominated in the best director category. While Hollywood isn’t lacking women in terms of characters and cast, they are lacking behind the scenes. Last year also stirred up more controversy when it was found that Mark Wahlberg was paid $1.5 million when reshooting the movie All of the Money in the World while Michelle Williams, his female co-star, received less than $1000. We need to push Hollywood to create a fair, more inclusive environment for women.

White Washing

Whitewashing has been an issue in the film industry for many decades. You may remember last year when Scarlett Johanson attracted much controversy by starring as the female protagonist in the film Ghost In The Shell, based on a Japanese manga about Japanese characters. Many were disappointed because the role could have easily been given to an Asian actress. This year, Johanson ignited controversy again when she was cast as a transgender character in a movie while being cis herself, taking away opportunities from transgender actors. This issue is important because Hollywood is already very lacking in terms of diversity and inclusion, and we need to give minorities a chance to shine.

Why This Matters

So why is this issue important? People need to see people who they can relate to on screen. It’s important that a person of every race, every sexual identity, and every gender identity has someone to look up to and call a role model. The world would be overall more excepting and inclusive if we created more movies and TV shows starring people of color or people in the LGBT community. Many Americans are stuck living in a world where they’re so used to seeing people who look like and have the same mindset as them, so including more diversity in the media would help allow those people to open up their minds to people they might not have understood before. Everyone deserves a chance to make it, no matter what you look like or who you love.

What You Can Do

"Here's what I think...I think that we have become kind of numb to the diversity issue when it comes to film. Like, I didn't even feel that way until it was brought to my attention when you come up to like, an Oscar. It's crazy because you don't even think about it — you're just used to it." - Zendaya

"I do feel extremely proud when I have people of the South Asian community coming up to me and saying, Thankfully we're seeing a non-stereotyped Indian. At an event, I remember this girl hugged me and started crying. She said, 'Thank you for making us relevant.' It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it.” - Priyanka Chopra

"I’ve never done a movie, any movie, the silliest movie, where some studio person hasn’t gone ‘Does the girl have to be black?’. It happens every time. Black women are the least represented on screen." - Chris Rock

"A fan told me that the story line of Jamal made it easier for him to talk to his son about his sexuality.” - Jussie Smollett

"A casting head said: “I couldn’t put you in a Shakespeare movie. They didn’t have black people then.”" - Wendell Pierce

"Finding out that a man who had less experience and critical acclaim got paid twice as much, that was a smack in the face. You think that studio loves you, and it’s, “No honey, they can get you for a deal, and you in turn get other people for a deal.” I sometimes feel like a sellout, because I know I can get so-and-so in the door if they hit a certain price point. I had to learn how to break that chain." - Effie Brown

"A U.C.L.A. acting professor gave me good marks in my performance and [said]: “You’re a good actor, which is why I’m telling you, stay the hell out of L.A. There’s not much of a future for you. Go to Asia.” I got an A. He was saying that out of respect." - Ken Jeong