July 16th 2023.
The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences has recently sent a letter to its members in response to the wave of diversity and inclusion departures across Hollywood. They wanted to reassure their members of their commitment to diversity and equity in the industry, and to show their dedication to the cause.
The letter is signed by Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang, and they express their commitment to diversity and equity-focused work. They thank their members for their support and look forward to continuing the conversation.
The recent departures seem to be connected to a larger backlash against diversity and inclusion efforts from conservative politicians and groups. While Hollywood is populated by a lot of liberal actors and directors, the corporate side is much more Republican, which can be seen in the current strike.
Diversity and inclusion has only been a conversation in Hollywood for half a decade. After Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave claimed a historic win, the next two years saw a mostly white nomination field, leading to the #OscarsSoWhite movement and a boycott of the Oscars.
Franklin Leonard, creator of the BlackList, doesn't completely buy into what the Academy is selling. He tells Variety that, “Any time you publish diversity numbers for new members without also citing the numbers for the organization as a whole, you’re saying quite a bit.” Leonard also tells The Hollywood Reporter that he's done with diversity panels because he doesn't see them as productive on their own.
The BlackList exposes Hollywood's lack of meritocracy and the natural diversity that would be present if the industry had values of diversity and inclusion. Leonard's point is that, if Hollywood had these values, there would be no need for committees, panels, and positions dedicated to DEI.
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