Another celebrity has spoken out about the infamous lack of diversity among Academy Award nominees—something the Oscars have dealt with for years now. This time, Viola Davis voiced her concerns over the lack of people of color nominated for awards and asked us to look deeper into the issue.
Viola told Entertainment Weekly during Elle’s 6th Annual Women in Television Dinner, “The problem is not with the Oscars, the problem is with the Hollywood movie-making system.” She went on to ask a series of thought-provoking questions: “How many black films are being produced every year? How are they being distributed? The films that are being made, are the big-time producers thinking outside of the box in terms of how to cast the role? Can you cast a black woman in that role? Can you cast a black man in that role?”
The two-time Oscar nominee’s comments hit right at the issue of racial inequality that has long plagued Hollywood. She continued, “You could probably line up all the A-list black actresses out there [and] they probably don’t make what one A-list white woman makes in film. That’s the problem. You can change the Academy, but if there are no black films being produced, what is there to vote for.”
Viola’s insight begs us to think deeper into the lack of diversity within the film industry. It’s not just within the Academy Award nominees that there is a lack of representation—it is a sign of a greater problem within Hollywood itself. Viola summarized, “The Oscars are not really the issue. It’s a symptom of a much greater disease.”
Many celebrities have hinted at their decision to not attend the awards show because of the lack of diversity, and Viola was not shy to commit herself to boycotting the event either. She is just one of many celebrities who are beginning to speak up about this impending issue. The Academy Awards cannot be a real awards show if not everyone is given equal opportunity to have their great work recognized.