Several groups crunched numbers the following morning to determine that, as heartening as some developments are, there’s a huge “diversity gap” yet to overcome.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Emmys Diversity: The Numbers
Several groups crunched numbers the following morning to determine that, as heartening as some developments are, there’s a huge “diversity gap” yet to overcome.
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4 comments:
After watching the Emmys on Sunday and praising the progress that the academy had made, these numbers are very disappointing to me. It seems ridiculous to me that over the past twenty four years only one person of color has won in each lead actor category. However, I personally don't believe that the Emmys as an entity is the main issue. Viola Davis said in her acceptance speech, "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there." It is indisputable that there are significantly less leading roles available for people of color, especially women. This situation really speaks to the lack of representation for minorities in the media. Most TV shows are still lead by a creative team of mostly men, and are filled with mostly white actors. Without an opportunity to excel, these groups of people cannot be expected to win big at award shows. The only way to even the playing field is for more show runners to follow in the footsteps of Empire, Orange is the New Black, and How to Get Away with murder by creating new, interesting roles for people of color.
Empire had the fastest growing viewer numbers in television history, Orange is the New
Black is one of the most popular shows around, and last weekend Viola Davis, also an oscar winner, said "the only thing separating women of color from everyone else is opportunity" after she became the first african american actress to win an Emmy in the lead actress in a drama category. The Emmy's are a very public stage, and I am thrilled that the arts community is using it to continue to spread the issue of inequality. However, we can't forget that this problem does not just exist in our industry, it exists in every industry there is. I am always so proud of the arts industry when we bring light to issues that wouldn't normally be projected to millions of people. But, if we are going to talk the talk, we have to walk the walk. I was so happy for Viola Davis, and happy for the progress that we have made, but there is much more progress waiting, and there is no reason for us not to be making it.
On the one had, it is sad that there is so little diversity in television that just one win by a woman of color can send fans hollering at the skies. On the other hand, it is amazing. This type of enthusiasm, as the author states, is exactly what's making wins like this happen. Audience response to diversity has grown exponentially in recent years, proving to casting directors, award judges, and television networks that a program which represents its viewers realistically is not only effective - it is compelling. Such a forum for representation is open to all kinds of influence the world over, and beginning its outreach by making United States televisions look like United States living rooms can only bring light and hope to the importance of diversity on our shores and our sound stages. Yes, this is but a baby-step in preparation for necessary bounds; yes, networks must keep improving to make this small development valid. But audiences have given them reason to do so. It is clear from the teary eyes and the full hearts of anyone who watched Viola Davis take that statue home that hope is on the horizon, be the sun still a bit blinding.
I have always believed that stereotypical casting needs to be left on the shelf. We are at a time where so many people other than the expected few, can play roles and change the way the industry works. Having little diversity in the emmys in terms of nominations and wins, it is somewhat saddening to see that when a black woman wins an emmy, there HAS to be a speech about new opportunity, someothing that should have started years ago. The fact that the numbers in award ceremonies in reference to diversity are so small, proves that there needs to be more chance for diveristy in the cooprporation side of it aswell.v
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