Black History Month has been celebrated every February since 1976. Unfortunately, in the entertainment world, representation of Black narratives has been relatively new. As visual storytellers in Hollywood, it is our responsibility to tell diverse stories and make sure everyone is represented. Hollywood would not be what it is today if it weren’t for ideas, accomplishments, and achievements of Black artists. It’s only fair that we continue to diligently work towards more Black representation in film.
How a Hashtag started a movement in Hollywood
In 2015, the viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite sparked a movement and conversation around the lack of representation in Hollywood. That year, the Oscars awarded all 20 acting nominations to white actors. This was definitely a breaking point in the entertainment industry.
April Reign, the creator of the hashtag, logged onto Twitter and saw the 2015 Oscar nominations. It struck her that once again, no people of color were nominated. She decided to pick up her phone and tweet about it.
#OscarsSoWhite they asked to touch my hair. 😒
— April (@ReignOfApril) January 15, 2015
When April checked her phone a few hours later, the hashtag was trending around the world. The director of Selma, Ava DuVernay called #OscarsSoWhite a “catalyst for a conversation about what had really been a decades-long absence of diversity and inclusion.”
In the past couple of years, Black representation in film has grown and we’ve seen a difference on-screen. In 2019 the Oscars saw a record number of winners of color. There’s been a shift where Hollywood is not only diversifying, but meaningfully diversifying and representing Black characters, as opposed to filling a quota.
According to a study done by Variety, since the pandemic, there has been a spike in representation of Black and Non-Binary characters in film and television.
The study states that, “During the pandemic period, 70.5% of series released during had a Black series regular, up notably 65.8% pre-pandemic. The number of films released with Black talent also increased (58.7% vs. 56.1%).”
But our question is – is this enough? We think Hollywood can do better.
We’re optimistic about continuing to diversify the film and television industry, but how can we make sure to stay vigilant in these efforts? Let’s listen to the voices of some of our favorite Black artists for some inspiration on how we can continue to push for change in Hollywood.
Hollywood Speaks Out
In 2017, Lena Waithe became the first queer Black screenwriter to win an Emmy, for an episode she wrote in the series Master on None. Lena has consistently used her platform to call out the lack of diversity in Hollywood, and often says that change in Hollywood must be mandated, not just requested.
In a 2020 article written for Variety, Lena Waithe wrote:
“We need mandates for inclusion. The studios, networks and streamers all need to live by new rules, and if they don’t live by them, there need to be financial repercussions. The studios need to greenlight a certain number of projects from Black people, brown people, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities. Hollywood is nothing if not a mirror of America.”
Lena Waithe has even started her own production company with Rishi Rajani called Hillman Grad Productions. The company prides itself on going against the status quo and providing a platform for diverse voices across all mediums.
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Our favorite funny fan turned director Jordan Peele says he will only cast people of color as leads for his movies. In a 2019 interview with Deadline, he stated:
“I don’t see myself casting a white dude as the lead of a movie — it’s not because I don’t like white dudes. It’s because I’ve seen that movie… We are in this time when there are so many great Black directors right now… The renaissance that has happened has proven myths of representation in the industry are false.”
Jordan Peele uses his platform and resources to be a voice for marginalized communities so that they feel represented. In his horror masterpiece, Get Out, he uses the “sunken place” as a metaphor for systemic racism.
The Sunken Place means we’re marginalized. No matter how hard we scream, the system silences us.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) March 17, 2017
Euphoria actress Storm Reid thinks representation in Hollywood can go further than just on-screen. In a recent interview with People, she said there needs to be more stylists on set that know Black hair. Storm told the magazine:
“It has been a struggle for me specifically on sets when it comes to the hair disparity and people not knowing how to deal with Black hair. And, in a way, it feels dehumanizing . . . when it’s the time for your hair to look nice and there’s nobody on set to be able to help you achieve that. They really just don’t understand Black hair care. It’s disheartening and it’s heartbreaking.”
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Storm recounted that when she was on set of A Wrinkle in Time, the hairstylists did know what they were doing. She said, “It changed the way I saw that we can have these Black department heads really be there and take care of you.”
Since this experience, Storm Reid has had to personally request someone who’s familiar with styling natural hair, and this is something she shouldn’t have to do in the first place.
Activist and director Ava DuVernay has advocated for more representation in Hollywood for years, and has become a powerful voice for marginalized communities.
Ava is known for her works that deal with race and civil rights, but in her most recent project, Naomi, she’s aiming for more ‘normalization’ over ‘representation.’ Naomi is a teen superhero drama starring Kaci Walfall and Alexander Wraith.
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In an interview with CBR.com, Ava said:
“They’re going to be dealt with through a new innovation that we’re working with. It’s called normalization, right? It’s not about representation, it’s about normalization,So we’re doing really muscular things as it relates to race and gender and class, but we’re doing it by playing it normal. Like it’s just a part of the everyday.”
She elaborates by saying, “The more that you can portray images without underlining them, highlighting them and putting a star next to them, that show a different kind of hero, right? That center on a Black girl, that centers different kinds of folks, right? Um, we start to make that normal and that’s a radical revolutionary thing.”
I was asked why I’m doing a show on the CW about a Black girl learning that she’s actually a superhero.
Because I want there to be a show about a Black girl learning that she’s actually a superhero. And then being a great one.
NAOMI debuts tomorrow. So proud. All-new trailer. pic.twitter.com/1eSSn403fh
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 10, 2022
Ava Duvernay has been a powerhouse in Hollywood and a catalyst for change and we hope she continues to be a strong voice for the Black community.
In a recent interview with AARP, Halle Berry spoke out about the Oscars, saying there has been a visible shift, but that she’s also heartbroken that no other woman of color has won Best Actress since her win for Monster’s Ball in 2002:
“When I won the Oscar 20 years ago, I didn’t see nearly as many faces of color in TV and film as I do now. There has been a 100 percent change. So while no other Black woman stands next to me [with a best actress Oscar] and it’s heartbreaking and I wish there were more, I also know that moment at the Oscars was inspiring and made people believe that anything was possible. Today you’ve got Ava DuVernay, Lena Waithe, Viola Davis. I can go on and on. Women of color are doing things, and you know what? They’re doing things on their own terms, in their way. They’re daring to say, ‘I deserve this.”
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Hollywood.com is calling for more representation
At Hollywood.com, we are always trying to be the best versions of ourselves and make sure that everyone feels represented. A more inclusive Hollywood starts with internal change, so we want to hear from you about what we can do to diversify our content, and make sure that ALL communities feel seen and heard.
We want to work to diversify our team and amplify stories of marginalized communities. Together we will be able to create a safe space in Hollywood, where no one feels left out.
So, tell us your story and apply to be a freelance contributing writer for Hollywood.com! Send at least 3 writing samples to publisher@hollywood.com.
