THE RACE TO EQUALITY IN HOLLYWOOD

By Leah Shifrel

           

When the Oscars were first established, they represented the unification of the film industry. Now, that industry once again faces controversy. The fight is public and divisive. And it centers on race.

Out of the 20 actors nominated in the 2016 Academy Awards, not one is black. Why is this?

The problem starts with the roles written for African Americans. In most films in which there is a main character who is black, the theme is race. The films Selma, The Help, and 12 Years a Slave, for example, have African Americans in leading roles and all are historical films about race and oppression.

We rarely see an action or adventure movie with a black actor in a leading role. This is because the film industry caters to its post popular demographic: Young white males. In fact, almost one-quarter of movie-goers are between the ages of 25 and 39, according to movieguide.org. This is the highest percentage of movie-goers. In addition, 50 percent of all movie-goers are male, and 58 percent are white.

So what’s the solution? Screenwriters should create films where race does not matter. The protagonist’s race is irrelevant. For example, in Flight, which starred Denzel Washington, an African American, the pilot could easily have been another race. The theme of the film did not focus on race but instead looked at other issues. And Denzel Washington was nominated for best actor.

In contrast, Matt Damon, who is white,  plays a strong, determined astronaut in The Martian. This role could easily have been played by Jamie Foxx, who is black, or another strong actor of color.

Historical dramas are important and when done well, beautiful. But black actors should have more opportunities to play fictional people in films that address issues other than race.

At a time when race is becoming a divisive issue in Hollywood, it would be in the best interest of the 

film industry if screenwriters, producers, casting directors, directors and studios were to open their 

minds to a new genre of film that is color blind.