Do the Emmys Have a Race Problem?
Until Archie Panjabi's surprise win this year for The Good Wife, only eight people of color had ever won an Emmy in the top four acting categories for drama and comedy. It's a sobering statistic about the racial inequality that still persists on television, and after watching the Emmys this weekend (and being mistaken for another black actress), it has Southland's Regina King ready to speak her mind.
The actress (who really should have merited Emmy consideration for the first season of Southland) vocalized her concerns in a Huffington Post essay:
Since the Emmy ceremony, I have been going back and forth about whether or not I should compose this letter. I try hard in my daily life not to engage in uncomfortable situations regarding race. But sometimes it's very difficult to find other reasons that better explain why certain events play out the way they do. It is impossible for me to ignore the published statistics regarding the number of people of color mentioned, celebrated or honored in the history of the televised Emmys. Up to and including this year, there have been only 53 non-white actors nominated for emmys out of nearly 1,000 possible nominations in the top four acting categories for drama and comedy.
I've worked in television nearly all of my professional life, and that statistic is quite sobering to me. And to add injury to my already sensitive nerve endings a picture of Rutina Wesley from True Blood, who attended this year's Emmys, had a caption that read: "Regina King enters the 62nd Emmys." No, I wasn't there. Mistakes happen, right? Well after a few "mistakes" of how people of color are portrayed in the Hollywood media, I decided it was important to say something about how things go down in Hollywood.
The initial pull on my heart strings was not seeing the veteran Sesame Street actress Alaina Reed Hall included in this year's memoriam [...] I am assuming other actors have lost someone close to them who weren't recognized during that segment of previous Emmy telecasts. So I will take the stats about people of color out of my complaint and pose an essential question on behalf of any television artist of note working in our business. What is the process in determining who will and will not be recognized during the Emmy memoriam?
We wish we knew. But what do you think: Does King have a point?
The Emmys: As White As Ever [HuffPo]
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Comments
Just get rid of all these award shows. many of these celebrities don't even want to be at the awards.
I stopped watching award shows after Denzel's Academy Award for Training Day and Halle's Award for Monster Ball. I thought both films were horrible in their depiction of American Americans. It was my belief that the 'powers that be' could only deal with people of color if they reinforced stereotypes. Clearly, the entertainment industry aims to please the majority and it has carefully crafted their message to reinforce their beliefs in imagery and assessment of talent. I loved Halle Berry in the movie Cat Woman. It was the first movie of its type, with a black female super hero. ALL the critics HATED it. I took their word for it that the film was "kitty litter". I didn't see it at the theatre, nor did I rent it. I saw it tonight on Oxygen. I immediately understood why whites disapproved of it. A black woman fighting white criminals with a whip was an “Oh Hell No!” by Hollywood standards. The critics made sure there was no sequel; Berry was awarded a Golden Raspberry for Worst Actress. Sandra Bullock got a Raspberry too for playing a woman whom they called, "freakishly smart" in All About Steve. I loved that film and bought the DVD. Her Academy Award for Blind Side may have been deserved, but because of the Academy’s past awards for negative characterization of blacks, I refuse to watch it.
King has a point, there's a lack of diversity both on the screen and when awards are handed out. That being said, it's not neccessarily racisim if you (or someone you root for) doesn't get nominated/win/mentioned.
Here's a thought...stop watching.
Why not simply accept the fact that the Director is the one to pull the quality out of the Actor, if the Actor has the quality to give. Don't blame the disproportion on "bias". Blame it on the combination of quality projects, Quality Directors, and of-course this is true, giving the Actor the benefit of the doubt of having what it takes.
Meh...most comic book movies bomb horrifically...or given the all out "thumbs down" by critics. This is nothing new, and has nothing to do about race. Most comic book movies that do not follow canon usually do not do well. Case in point, "Catwoman". Different character, different origin, no bearing on the Batman universe, no Gotham City, and not even the most famous "catwoman" version (Selina Kyle). I would have accepted a black Selina Kyle. There is no rule that states she must be white. The MOVIE was bad. That is on the writers and director.
This would be akin to Nicholas Cage being cast as Superman (rumored back when Superman Returns was being cast). Changing the origin, powers, and development of the character and trying to pass it off as part of canon in name only. This is what happened in Catwoman. I was STOKED to see it, and doubly STOKED when I found out Halle "Freakin" Berry was the title character. Then I saw it. Supremem disappointment.
Let's also be fair. Catwoman was originally supposed to have Michelle Pfeiffer reprise the role. The movie never made it out of development. Do you realize there were 28 writers!?! Ultimately falling to 6 credited for the film. The movie was doomed from the start BEFORE Halle Berry was EVER thought of.
You also do realize Halle Berry HERSELF accepted her Golden Raspberry award for worst actress while stating and I quote, "First of all, I want to thank Warner Brothers. Thank you for putting me in a piece of shit, God-awful movie...It was just what my career needed." She has since been very truthful about her dislike of the movie.
Fact is, most comic book movies do not do well, since they usually change what makes them so popular as comic books. Movies like The Dark Knight, Spiderman 2, and Blade (wink*wink) are the exception...not the rule.
Could there be more black actors and actresses being rewarded for their work, not their color? Sure! The same can be said for the comic book industry which isn't exactly brimming with black superheroes. But it starts with the writing. "Catwoman" proves that even great actresses like Halle Berry cannot salvage a bad script.
Totally agree. Whenever there are happening those award shows "for only black people" i always think: "Oh great. So if they will do awards only for white people then it’s racism. But when they do awards for only black people then it’s ok. Who is racist now?"
I agree. Stop the racism. In every awards, in every category there should be "room" for black, asian, latino and ex-USSSr actor. Why are only black actors mentioned? Asians don’t deserve to be nominated? Or latino? And why such racizm towards the russian speaking actors? They barely get parts in movies or tv shows. Only to play hookers and bandits. It’s a racial stereotype and discrimination!!!
They have to make it official. Even for the Oscars. It doesn’t mater who played best. In 5 spots there should be white, asian, latino and russian actors nominated. Oh wait. But who will get the 5-th spot? I know – they should cancel and reduce it to 4 spots. So that no one would be offended. But what about the winners? I know – they should count all the winners and then split them between races! Because otherwise it’s racism.... :))))
This is how ridiculous it can look if everyone will start to play racial card. USA have a black president! And still they play "they hate us" card. It didn’t occur to them that those other are just better actors? And that’s why they were nominated?
Canadian society doesn't seem to be nearly as divided when it comes to race, especially among the under 30 crowd in large cities. Quite literally, that generation doesn't "see" colour. The subject seems to be a complete non issue.
When was the last time a white person won a BET award?
Both Robin Thicke and Eminem have been nominated. Which is surprising considering the majority of the awards at the BET Awards are music awards and they only cover "black" genres. There aren't many mainstream white rappers, RnB singers, groups, or Gospel singers which is why there is a lack of white artists nominated in those categories. Same as there are little black country singers of note.
I know you believe you're being clever by pointing out "reverse racism" (which is a misnomer considering reverse would be the "opposite" and it would mean preference REGARDLESS of race) but you're not. As was noted eariler, if you had bothered to read the comments, "black awards" exist to give credit to performers who would otherwise go unnoticed by traditional media. And there wouldn't be a reason for there to be "white awards" because there is already a domination across all non-speciality award shows.
you're actually right. As a black female w/ multicultural taste in everything, i think in this day in age BET needs to broaden their horizons when it comes to awards & shows. they should add a category of Best Pop/HipHop Collaboration. it souldn't be ALL BLACK all the time, which is why i've strayed from watching that channel as much as i did when it 1st came about. there should be tv shows with white teens & black teens, etc., together like Nickelodeon's True Jackson. They can't expect our teens to be open to diversity in their friendships in real life but, not portray them together on tv. My 19 yr old refuses to watch BET anymore because he feels the same way since he has friends of all races. In regards to you guys not having a W.E.T....well, ABC, CBS, FOX, etc, may not have the initials but, there intended target audience is white w/ small consideration of other ethnicity's so as not to appear completely biased. There are issues on both sides & it would awesome if we could someday be like Canada : )
You're right LOL that would be silly, and not having any minority nominees doesn't mean the Academy is racist. But tell me, why is it minority actors aren't given the same quality roles white actors are? You know what, don't answer that. I don't want to hear you go off on how minority actors just aren't as talented or don't try as hard. You seem to be foolish enough to believe that racism died the moment a black president was elected.
These "major" awards shows may not be individually racist but society is and Hollywood reflects that.
As a black female w/ multicultural taste in everything, i think in this day in age BET needs to broaden their horizons when it comes to awards & shows. they should add a category of Best Pop/HipHop Collaboration. it shouldn't be ALL BLACK all the time, which is why i've strayed from watching that channel as much as i did when it 1st came about. there should be tv shows with white teens & black teens, etc., (together) like Nickelodeon's True Jackson. They can't expect our teens to be open to diversity in their friendships in real life but, not portray them together on tv. My 19 yr old refuses to watch BET anymore because he feels the same way since he has friends of all races. In regards to you guys not having a W.E.T....well, ABC, CBS, FOX, etc, may not have the initials but, there intended target audience is white w/ small consideration of other ethnicity's so as not to appear completely biased. It would great if MTV had the show Baldwin Hills to come on right after the Hills so kids can see both sides of how rich white kids AND how rich black kids live. Society as a whole still sees us in ghetto's or prison or the one black doctor. Baldwin Hills doesn't do any good being on BET, where it's only audience is black. However, MTV does at least appeal to my life more than BET does because there's a variety of shows and music i can relate to not just one kind.
There are no "white" awards shows BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE NOMINATED AT AWARDS CEREMONIES ARE ALREADY WHITE. I seriously don't understand how some people are offended by the fact that there aren't white award shows. By being white in America, you already have EXTREME privilege over others.
You're missing the point. It's not the lack of diversity in winning it's the lack of diversity of acting roles for people of color. It's not that there aren't actors and actresses of color arent' excellent in their roles....it's that casting them in well advertised and network supported primetime and comedy dramas create the inequality. I think that's waht Ms. King is saying.
Oh that's very constructive. Good for you. What are you 10?
Since it's been said and ignored, I'll say it again. Black awards shows, like black colleges, were created because they weren't allowed in the white ones.
Awards shows that honor a specific group were created because they were being ignored by Hollywood. So who's racist?
Maybe white actors have more roles because the industry relates to numbers and money? Did you think about that? Because all the races (white, black, asian, latino) prefer to watch those faces? Lately there’s been many "only black actors" movies. Those rom-coms where all the major and supported roles are being played by black actors. Do they make big money? No. Even black people don’t watch them. They go and watch other movies. That’s why they cast white actors more.
And I actually wait with curious for that new TV show about Mr.and Mrs. Smith. The one where they cast black actors in the roles of Brad and Angelina.
I wonder about the ratings. I wonder how many black people will watch it.
It’s like with overweight people. They all whine that people judge them by their looks and that they love themselves the way they are.... And then they still go and fall in love with prettiest skinny boy in the class and Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson. They don’t fall in love with Jonah Hex, Hurley from Lost or some nice overweight boy in the class. They basically judge other people by their looks. The same here. Afro-American people whine about racism and still they all go to movie to watch some pretty white boy and those movies with only black actors don’t make big money.
Maybe there just aren't that many "good" black actors? Any all black cast movie I have seen, is normally a movie that I care never to see again. Tyler Perry and his long list of horrible black only movies only help to drive down the idea of watching a black actor in a lead role.
One of the reasons I don't watch the Emmy's and really television shows in general is because of the lack of diversity. That is basically the way to deal with the problem. The reason for t.v. shows is to create a medium for selling products which is the reason for commercials. But if I don't watch the t.v. shows because there is no diversity and they just suck then that reason goes away. I have never seen the commercial because I don't watch the shows! Therefore I don't buy the products. The only thing Hollywood understands, or any big-money business for that matter, is to hit them in the pockets. If every African American, or any minority reading this article stopped paying for cable, satellite, movie tickets and refused to purchase products advertised on networks that did not try to achieve racial diversity you would see a change like never before. Its about the money folks. I didn't watch the Emmy's because I knew what I wasn't going to see. So why should I watch their show and listen to their commercials? Clearly they were not aimed at me. So, I keep my money in my pocket and they lose sales of their products as far I am concerned. Imagine what would happen if more minorities did this?
Are you white? I don't ask that in a snarky way at all, but the idea of "not seeing color" is absurd. In this country, non-whites or minorities are not entirely afforded that liberty of "not seeing color" because being the color that they are affects them every day. And to say you don't see your friend's color is also a mild insult because that's a part of who they are--their culture, their identity. You choosing to ignore that isn't commendable, it's a misguided attempt to sound accepting. I don't mean to bag on anyone here, but I love the term person of color. I think it works when discussing race relations from a specifically American perspective. Many other countries don't have the same problems with race that we do here, so it's hard to say what would go on there.
holy fuc, would you people let go of this race baiting s hit already?
This is what annoys me about the article. Her point is weakened by the fact she doesn't provide examples of who should have been nominated or won but were snubbed. If she took the time to write the article why didn't she take some time to actually put some detail into it?
What would the overly earnest do with themselves then?
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