Without Representation in Hollywood: The 2016 Oscars
The faces that we see, hear and read about in entertainment greatly influence the shaping of American attitudes and beliefs. How minorities are portrayed in the entertainment industry often stereotype and reinforce negative of each ethnic group. The lack of diversity among the membership of entities and organizations that determine awards, such as the nominating committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, impacts how stories are covered and limits opportunities for ethnic minorities in these professions. This year Chris Rock hosted the 2016 Oscars and made several racial remarks. In doing so, it was hard to miss just how the lack of diversity was present this year. The …show more content…
“As Chris Rock strolled onto the Dolby Theater stage Sunday night and prepared to lay waste to the Academy Awards, there was a hint of what was to come in the music playing in the background: Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” (Caramanic, “Fight the Power”). Chris Rock’s racially insensitive comments at the Oscars certainly were not the kind of statements that in today’s society would be acceptable especially had the roles been reversed. His statements, however harsh they might have been, did serve the purpose they intended to do in focusing attention to the issue of racial inequality and non-representation at hand. All in all, Chris Rock stole the spotlight that night by bringing his own brand of racial disparity to the 2016 Oscars as a black …show more content…
“Overall, black entertainers have averaged 11.2 percent of total presenters and performers since 1969. In that same time, less than two percent of awards were given to black people” (Mason, "Black Actors Present at the Oscars Way More Often than They Win. What Does That Mean?"). In years past, more African Americans have attended and been presenters at the Oscars than have ever won. Although the excitement of being in attendance is important for any artist in the industry, the fact remains that far more attend than win. This year’s 88th Oscars have seen very little change in its diversity of nominations. The old of saying ‘that history repeats itself’ certainly stands
The faces that we see, hear and read about in entertainment greatly influence the shaping of American attitudes and beliefs. How minorities are portrayed in the entertainment industry often stereotype and reinforce negative of each ethnic group. The lack of diversity among the membership of entities and organizations that determine awards, such as the nominating committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, impacts how stories are covered and limits opportunities for ethnic minorities in these professions. This year Chris Rock hosted the 2016 Oscars and made several racial remarks. In doing so, it was hard to miss just how the lack of diversity was present this year. The …show more content…
“As Chris Rock strolled onto the Dolby Theater stage Sunday night and prepared to lay waste to the Academy Awards, there was a hint of what was to come in the music playing in the background: Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” (Caramanic, “Fight the Power”). Chris Rock’s racially insensitive comments at the Oscars certainly were not the kind of statements that in today’s society would be acceptable especially had the roles been reversed. His statements, however harsh they might have been, did serve the purpose they intended to do in focusing attention to the issue of racial inequality and non-representation at hand. All in all, Chris Rock stole the spotlight that night by bringing his own brand of racial disparity to the 2016 Oscars as a black …show more content…
“Overall, black entertainers have averaged 11.2 percent of total presenters and performers since 1969. In that same time, less than two percent of awards were given to black people” (Mason, "Black Actors Present at the Oscars Way More Often than They Win. What Does That Mean?"). In years past, more African Americans have attended and been presenters at the Oscars than have ever won. Although the excitement of being in attendance is important for any artist in the industry, the fact remains that far more attend than win. This year’s 88th Oscars have seen very little change in its diversity of nominations. The old of saying ‘that history repeats itself’ certainly stands