Has Diversity in Hollywood and Oscars Improved?

FEATURING DARNELL HUNT – Sunday night’s Academy Awards show took place within a hugely politicized framework of race and gender issues. After years of being dogged by accusations of white domination in Hollywood films and the awards, and months after the revelations of film giant Harvey Weinstein’s systematic abuse of women emerged, the foundation of the film industry has been rocked.

But overall, the Oscars remained rather white and few spoke strongly about misogyny and sexual abuse of women. Aside from Jordan Peele making history as the first black writer to win Best Screenplay, and Mexican director Guillermo del Toro winning Best Director, the best actor/actress, and supporting actor/actress categories were won by all white stars.

Timed for release just before the industry’s highest awards are given out is the annual Hollywood Diversity Report by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA. The report has taken on gender and racial diversity issues in Hollywood for several years now.

Read the latest Hollywood Diversity Report HERE.

Darnell Hunt, Dean of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at UCLA. He is also Director of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA.