A lack of Diversity in the Oscars, What A Surprise.

Blog
February 22, 2015
Iyanna James-Stephenson


    Every year there is utter outrage over the amount of diversity (or lack there of) in the huge media ceremonies in the Spring. The first of which was the Grammy's. Although few persons of color received Grammy's earlier this month, the nominations and wins were very restricted. The restrictions were also attributed to what is known to come natural to people of color. When it came to the Oscars however, persons of color were completely erased.

       This year (although this is definitely not the first year), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has presented Hollywood films where zero of the nominations looked any different from a white, cis-gendered, blonde, brown, or brunette between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five (this age bracket is based on looks... not reality). The nominations for the Oscars this year was so homogenous that ColorOfChange.Org has started a petition to demand that the AMPAS "officially disclose their diversity numbers, and take substantive steps toward becoming a more inclusive organization."

     ColorOfChange.Org, quoted statistics from a 2012 L.A. Times survey. The survey questioned nearly 90% of the members of AMPAS who stated that the Academy was about 94% white. Furthermore, it was also noted that the acceptance into the organization ran on what is well known as an "old boy's network," where the only way to become a member is for a current member to invite you. This seems to be the most salient reason that after nearly a century's worth "of Hollywood films, 88-99% of all Academy Award winners have been white."

     This is a diversity issue. It's an inclusiveness issue, and like the concerns that were brought forth to Silicon Valley, we want to see change.






**Please note: the views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the view of the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity (AAAED). The views expressed in this post is of personal opinion and does not pose to be the representation, side, or stance of the AAAED organization in any way.**