http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/11/03/thandie_newton_accuses_hollywood_of_raci

http://blogs.berkeley.edu/2011/02/16/whitewash-is-hollywood-racist/

 

Great blog on how to combat racism in Hollywood

I really don't have any disdain for Hollywood. I just think racial discrimination is alive in Hollywood as is political discrimination. I think it is kind of naive to believe otherwise.

Tyler Perry's tv show is god awful.

 

It's all about money PP. Your disdain shouldn't be aimmed at Hollywood, rather at society and the consumers who have proven they won't fork over the dough for those shows/movies.

 

 

Forrest Whitaker

Denzel Washington

Will Smith

Martin Lawrence

Omar Epps (Mike Tomlin)

Djimon Hounsou

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Donald Faison

Terrence Howard

Gabrielle Union

Halle Berry

Kerry Washington

Thandie Newton

Zoe Saldana

 

That's just off the top of my head the list of extremely successful African-American actors/actresses.

 

Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Sydey Poitier, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett, Cuba Gooding Jr...

 

I never said there weren't black actors and actresses but most of these actors do indeed play supporting roles in major films that don't have a predominately black cast. Some are also comedians first and actors second. How many are pulling in 20 million a film or 5-10 million per sitcom episode?

 

I am not a Tyler Perry fan either but he is getting work to black actors.

 

Forrest Whitaker - Seriously? He's the star of a brand new prime-time TV show, and has won an Oscar for best actor. Next

Denzel Washington - Again, seriously? The most sought after leading man in Hollywood. Next

Will Smith - Star of box office sensations such as I Am Legend, Independence Day, Men in Black, Ali, Seven Pounds, etc.

Martin Lawrence - Comedian, yes, but had his own very successful sitcom, also star of many movies such as Bad Boys, Blue Streak, etc.

Omar Epps - Star (well 2nd star behind Hugh Lawrie) of one of the best TV shows around, House. Has been the leading man in several movies.

Djimon Hounsou - Has been a main character in several huge movies. (Blood Diamond, The Island, Gladiator, Constantine, Amistad)

Chiwetel Ejiofor - American Gangster, 2012, Salt, Four Brothers, Children of Men, Love Actually (most of which he was the main or one of the 2-3 main characters)

Donald Faison - lead of one of the best comedy series of prime time TV, Scrubs. Also a big role in Remember the Titans.

Terrance Howard - Star of Hustle & Flow, Crash, new prime timve TV show Law & Order: LA, numerous other major roles

Don Cheadle - Hotel Rwanda, Crash, Reign Over Me, Oceans Eleven, Tweleve, Swordfish

I don't doubt that there are racists in Hollywood. Still I would have to imagine that, specific to movies, the vast majority of ticket revenue does not come from a black movie-goers. I think Hollywood is catering to their patrons. As for television, which is an all-together different product, I can't say for sure why there isn't more writing for shows with primarily black casts, or at least more black lead characters. Viewer demographics wouldn't seem to be the answer, and I'd guess that maybe that's a little more writer-related. Who knows.

I understand your point and could see that being the case for some situations maybe even most situations. I could also see an exec saying "I am going with the show with all the whites in it" also. I don't think every situation is cut and dry clear of racism.

 

He could say that. However, IMO he's saying it because he thinks it will draw the most eyeballs. That's not discrimination.

4 of the top 10 people to bring in the most money to the box office are black. Samuel L Jackson having the top spot out of everyone. 2 of them-Will Smith and Eddie Murphy-are considered to have leading roles while the other 2-Samuel L Jackson and Morgan Freeman- are supporting.

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/11/03/thandie_newton_accuses_hollywood_of_raci

 

This shows complete ignorance on the part of the producer.

http://blogs.berkeley.edu/2011/02/16/whitewash-is-hollywood-racist/

 

Great blog on how to combat racism in Hollywood

 

From the blog:

 

In a similar way, the types of movies and actors that end up on the big screen, and eligible for an Oscar, don’t reflect bias as much as they mirror a particular set of life experiences and perspectives. The truth is that people make movies, act in movies, and pay to see movies that are of interest to them, and which connect in some meaningful way to their life experiences. The stories that are likely to be told and promulgated begin with the people who dream up the stories, the plays, the scripts.

 

 

This is what I said essentially. Stories are written for an audience. If Hollywood believes they need to appeal to a white audience then they are going to write about white experiences in many cases. The writers are white. Their experience is white. They write white.

 

The fair question is can a black couple replace a white couple in , say, a romantic comedy and the movie have the same success? Depends on who it is.

From the blog:

 

In a similar way, the types of movies and actors that end up on the big screen, and eligible for an Oscar, don’t reflect bias as much as they mirror a particular set of life experiences and perspectives. The truth is that people make movies, act in movies, and pay to see movies that are of interest to them, and which connect in some meaningful way to their life experiences. The stories that are likely to be told and promulgated begin with the people who dream up the stories, the plays, the scripts.

 

 

This is what I said essentially. Stories are written for an audience. If Hollywood believes they need to appeal to a white audience then they are going to write about white experiences in many cases. The writers are white. Their experience is white. They write white.

 

The fair question is can a black couple replace a white couple in , say, a romantic comedy and the movie have the same success? Depends on who it is.

 

Exactly. I agreed with some of your points. I just believe there are racists in Hollywood making decisions and would love to see an expose similar to the one Shapiro did exposing this.

4 of the top 10 people to bring in the most money to the box office are black. Samuel L Jackson having the top spot out of everyone. 2 of them-Will Smith and Eddie Murphy-are considered to have leading roles while the other 2-Samuel L Jackson and Morgan Freeman- are supporting.

 

 

I counted 3 of the top 10 and 4 of the top 15 and a minuscule amount out of the top 100.

 

http://www.the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/actors.mv?actors+ByTG

I counted 3 of the top 10 and 4 of the top 15 and a minuscule amount out of the top 100.

 

http://www.the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/actors.mv?actors+ByTG

 

 

That is because your movies are only based in the US and not worldwide.

 

http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-most-successful-actors-at-the-box-office.php

Forrest Whitaker - Seriously? He's the star of a brand new prime-time TV show, and has won an Oscar for best actor. Next

Denzel Washington - Again, seriously? The most sought after leading man in Hollywood. Next

Will Smith - Star of box office sensations such as I Am Legend, Independence Day, Men in Black, Ali, Seven Pounds, etc.

Martin Lawrence - Comedian, yes, but had his own very successful sitcom, also star of many movies such as Bad Boys, Blue Streak, etc.

Omar Epps - Star (well 2nd star behind Hugh Lawrie) of one of the best TV shows around, House. Has been the leading man in several movies.

Djimon Hounsou - Has been a main character in several huge movies. (Blood Diamond, The Island, Gladiator, Constantine, Amistad)

Chiwetel Ejiofor - American Gangster, 2012, Salt, Four Brothers, Children of Men, Love Actually (most of which he was the main or one of the 2-3 main characters)

Donald Faison - lead of one of the best comedy series of prime time TV, Scrubs. Also a big role in Remember the Titans.

Terrance Howard - Star of Hustle & Flow, Crash, new prime timve TV show Law & Order: LA, numerous other major roles

Don Cheadle - Hotel Rwanda, Crash, Reign Over Me, Oceans Eleven, Tweleve, Swordfish

 

 

:lol::lol::lol:

 

You're right. These guys all broke through so there obviously isn't any racism at all in Hollywood. They only discriminate against conservatives. :thumb:

 

You're taking my argument to the extreme and missing what I am trying to say. I understand the Hollywood is out to make money argument. I get that. I also think and believe that if the mentality is 'no one will watch black people so it won't make money and they won't be in my film/sitcom' is a racist train of thought. Whether that is the cold truth or not to exclude a person because of their race and not their ability is discrimination isn't it?

Also, I am sure Johnny Depp has kicked someone out of the top spot. I just noticed that the grossing numbers on your chart were very close to the US Box Office on my chart and not worldwide.

:lol::lol::lol:

 

You're right. These guys all broke through so there obviously isn't any racism at all in Hollywood. They only discriminate against conservatives. :thumb:

 

You're taking my argument to the extreme and missing what I am trying to say. I understand the Hollywood is out to make money argument. I get that. I also think and believe that if the mentality is 'no one will watch black people so it won't make money and they won't be in my film/sitcom' is a racist train of thought. Whether that is the cold truth or not to exclude a person because of their race and not their ability is discrimination isn't it?

 

 

Do we consider the music industry as inclusive in the Hollywood argument? Because if we do, I think the numbers tilt a little more and kind of even out. I think the whole entertainment industry as a whole should be considered, not just movies and TV.