Running head: RACIAL DIVERSITY IN FILM 1

Racial Diversity in Film

Monique R. Tellez

Glendale Community College

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Abstract

This paper will investigate racial diversity in the film industry. More specifically, the lack of

racial talent on screen and behind the screen. The history of the film industry will be addressed.

From it’s eurocentric idealism to prominence of white casting. Furthermore, how censorship

promoted American “whiteness” and hindered positive depiction of minority racial groups. The

21st century has been kinder to racial minorities in the film industry but there are still steps to

take. To add, the paper will tackle why positive representation isn’t more prominent in today’s

hollywood. The consequences of the lack of racial diversity are pointless racial biases in

American society and having the film industry ignore racial minority audiences. To combat this

problem, social media presence is required for voices and opinions to be heard in order to bring

awareness on the issue and encourage change. Movie studios are in the business of making

money and if enough people raise hell, there will be more movies with accurate representation in

film. Basically, the research essay will explore racial diversity in the film industry and introduce

a solution for the lack of positive depictions of racial minorities.

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Racial Diversity in Film

Marvel’s Black Panther has grossed $669,902,522 domestically and $1,304,461,508

worldwide as of April 16th, 2018 (“Black Panther”, 2018). The African superhero has become a

cultural phenomenon in the United States due to its depiction of Africa as a thriving and

prospering nation. Furthermore, Black Panther promoted strong non-white characters in a huge

blockbuster movie. Contrastly, movie leads usually go to heterosexual white males and racial

minorities are the side characters. Racial minorities are rarely seen behind the camera as

producers, studio executives, or directors. This research essay questions the reason behind the

lack minority talent in the behind the scenes jobs. It also questions the preference for

heterosexual white males in the main role. Racial diversity in the film industry is sorely lacking

which could lead to unnecessary bias of ethnic groups, but the American people can change the

narrative of minorities in film by paying for films that depict racial groups positively and fairly.

The cause for the lack of diversity in the film industry can be found in the past. Since the

1900’s, racial stereotypes have been used in hollywood. Racial stereotypes can found from

eurocentrism, “an ideology that privileges European and Euro-American history and culture as

the central, dominant, and superior measure of human accomplishment” (Grant, 2007).

Furthermore, this idealism showcased “white” people has the height of human existence and

darker skinned people as savage or primitive especially when depicting Native Americans

(Grant, 2007). The censorship board, the Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors

Association, designed strict guidelines, also known as The Hays Code, to promote “whiteness”

and depict the United States in a positive light which were in effect from 1934-1968 (Terry,

2013). In addition, “lustful kissing, crime, nudity, suggestive dancing, and interracial
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relationships” were also banned (Hoag, 2016). This censorship unofficially regulated subject

matter because producers only made films that followed the code to ensure distribution (Terry,

2013). In addition, the Hays Code incentivize movie studios to follow these ironclad regulations

because only the acceptable movies were distributed and allowed to earn a profit. In past films,

minority roles were played by white actors. For example, MGM’s The Good Earth had casted

two white actors, in yellow face, to play the Asian leads (Hoag, 2016). Yellow face is the use of

makeup and prosthetics to make someone look Asian usually stereotypically. Prejudice and

discrimination didn’t allow for minority talent to star in roles meant to represent their own racial

or ethnic group. In modern society, there has been improvements but white actors still act in

roles meant for racial minorities. Such as, Sony’s Aloha which had actress Emma Stone play a

character of Chinese and Hawaiian descent. This example of whitewashing negatively affects

both racial minority talent and audiences. The American public use movies to learn how to

socialize with those who are not like them. If stereotypical portrayals of minorities are the norm,

then the American public will assume that the specific racial group will act like their stereotype.

This could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings between people. The film industry also

continues to predominately showcase stories about white people and ignoring audiences of color

(Gay, 2016). Unfortunately, this causes minority audiences to feel like their stories aren’t worth

watching (Gay, 2016). For instance, “minorities account for more than 40% of the U.S

population” and are still greatly underrepresented (“Race in the Media”, 2016). While there has

been improvements on racial diversity in film, there is still work to be done. For instance, a study

conducted at UCLA by the Center for African American Studies found that minorities held 13%

of leading roles in theatrical films in 2014 (Hoag, 2016). Only a 2.5% increase from the year
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2011 in which only 10.5% of minorities held leading roles (Hoag, 2016). Furthermore, racial

minority actors still play stereotypical characters. As an example, ​Shark Tale ​features

stereotypical mob characters who have Italian American accents (“Race and Ethnicity in”, 2007).

The leader is played by popular, Italian American, actor Robert De Niro. These kinds of

problems still haven’t been solved “because white males broker most deals at studios, networks

and talent agencies” (Hoag, 2016). They tend to pick out of their social circles to “fill in major

positions, such as directors, writers, and producers” (Hoag, 2016). Most people’s inner circles

are people who are similar to themselves. Basically, people get along with those who are like

themselves. For the film industry, directors, writers, and producers will most likely be white

because the ones in power are white. Talent from racial or ethnic minorities don’t usually hold

prominent positions on a film set because they aren’t in the social circles of the white males in

power. In addition, making films has high stakes so film studios love to “hire people with proven

success” and it’s usually white men with the successful track record. (Hoag, 2016). Leading

minority talent to work on independent productions in which the mass audience won’t likely ever

see. While the 21st century has been kinder to racial minorities, the film industry still favors

heterosexual white males.

There have been solutions proposed to combat unfair or negative portrayals of racial

minorities. First, the Oscar’s governing board claims to be “committed to doubling the number of

women and academy members of color by 2020” (Gay, 2016). Also, each member will have

their “voting status reviewed every 10 years, and that status could be revoked if a member hasn't

been active in the industry within that decade” (Gay, 2016). This definitely improves how films

are awarded and reviewed by their peers, but it doesn’t face the issue head on. Film studios don’t
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necessary create movies to be awards contenders because most films are produced to generate

profit. Second, many activists want government intervention in having accurate and fair

representation on screen and behind the screen. As an example, the state of Illinois gives a “tax

credit (30 percent) to production companies that hire local minorities and women” (Hoag, 2016).

While Illinois is well intentioned, producers don’t really have to hire minorities in order to

receive the tax credit. Producers just have to “merely show they made ‘a good-faith effort’ of”

obtaining a diversified workforce (Hoag, 2016). These incentivized programs would only force

producers to interview and hire people of racial minorities. It never specified if racial minorities

would be hired as writers, directors, or leading characters; prominent positions in the film

industry. Furthermore, the United States runs its economy through capitalism. It would be highly

unlikely for the federal government to regulate the hiring practices of film studios. As long as

film studios are hiring racial minorities, the federal government won’t see it as an issue because

minorities are being hired no matter the position. In addition, Trump’s administration is proudly

conservative and ran its campaign on anti-political correctness so the representation of racial

diversity on film wouldn’t be viewed as a problem.

Selective decision making on film and social media are the solution to the lack of

diversity in the film industry. The people choose which movies to support with their dollars. The

film studios don’t invest in films if the public isn’t willing to spend money on it. For example, in

the era of “blaxploitation films”, the 1970’s, white filmmakers created movies which featured a

predominantly black cast (Terry, 2013). The elements of the black street culture were exploited

and popularized to appeal to the African American audience (Mendible, 2013). While these films

highlighted images of pimps, drug dealers, and shady cops, it showed a more accurate depiction
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of African American lives. Furthermore, the cast was fully black which was a welcome surprise.

In African Americans voicing their opinions, the film studio created films for which the

consumers demanded so they make money. Social media can further the representation of racial

minorities.. Social media is a huge indicator if a movie will be successful. If there positive posts

and comments about a movie, it will more likely to be successful. For instance, there was so

much positive buzz around Marvel’s Black Panther that it made the top 10 domestic gross lists.

Everyone supported Black Panther especially the African American community. After years of

protesting, African Americans are finally getting closer to fair and accurate representation in

film. In addition, Jada Pinkett Smith protested the Oscars due to the lack of African American

nominees by using #Oscarssowhite on her social media. The Academy updated its voter

requirements and inducted more racial minorities. A social media campaign can really change

the film industry since it is a business and businesses do not like losing customers or money. The

people’s voices and dollars are the tools required to create change in the film industry especially

in a more digital world. Film studios are now competing with streaming services and social

media for audience’s dollars and attention. The film studio will be more likely to listen to the

demands of its consumers because those consumers can get their entertainment elsewhere. In a

competitive market, people can further the awareness by calling out studios on social media and

not paying for the movie. Also, actors and actresses of more aware of racial representation in

film and are less likely to be in whitewash roles because of social media backlash.

Films reflect the time they were created in. Furthermore, films are pop culture mythos

that greatly impact society. In early films, Native Americans were vilified in western movies.

Many Americans took the movies to be an accurate depiction of Native Americans. These racial
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biases still exist in modern filmmaking. Modern films need to reflect the actual American society

or else there will still be prejudice between racial groups. The American people have more power

than they realize. In order for effective change, people need to be the change they want to see.
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References

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Hoag, C. (2016, August 5). Diversity in Hollywood. CQ researcher, 26, 649-672. Retrieved from

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