Academy Awards host Chris Rock had
been widely expected to address the much-maligned lack of ethnic and gender
diversity in Hollywood after no minorities were nominated in any of the four
acting categories for the second consecutive year.
And sure
enough Rock didn't waste any time. In his opening monologue at the
Oscars, Rock called out the elephant in the room. He addresses the
#OscarsSoWhite and diversity in Hollywood. He called it as plainly as it is and
wasn’t going to apologize for anything. He pointed out that yes, Hollywood is
racist or as he put it, "you're damn right Hollywood is racist. Hollywood
is sorority racist". With this remark Rock was addressing symbolic
annihilation. White industry power
players exclude minorities from their projects. Minorities are often ignored in
the film industry and overall media. Frequently white actors are cast to play
characters that are minorities which should be played by a minority, but when minorities
are cast it is in trivialized and/or stereotypical roles. Rock stated that, "it's not about boycotting. We want
opportunities. We want black actors to get the same opportunities." The
bottom line is that things need to change.
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