Opinion: For the Oscars, this year was a serious step back in diversity, with fewer than half as many actors of colour receiving Academy Awards than did in 2021.
After this year’s display of back-patting, tearful acceptance speeches and one slap, we have to remember that inclusion and representation in the film industry was not just an in-vogue trend from the summer of 2020 — it’s an ongoing battle that matters.
The test asks five key questions: Are the characters of colour whitewashed? Do the characters of colour pursue their own goals, separate from the white characters? Do the characters of colour only talk about their race? Do the characters fulfil harmful, simplistic or downright racist stereotypes? Finally, is the director, writer or creator representative of the story’s culture?
As we look back at the Oscar season, it’s important to keep some key statistics in mind. In 2019, the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report found that only about 20 per cent of lead film actors were people of colour in 2017, despite this group making up over 40 per cent of the population. These stories feature an important part of the Black experience in America. We must remember, Black history is not one monolithic canon — rather, it’s a rich tapestry of diversity and culture. Where are the stories about Black joy, Black creation and Black love?
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