Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) President Cheryl Boone Isaacs gave a few updates on the progress of its push to diversify its membership. At the Toronto International Film Festival, Isaacs revealed “that recently the membership was 94% white and 77% male. Earlier this year, the Academy invited 683 potential members, as part of what Isaacs said was its most diverse class ever.”
This is a step in the right direction which I am sure will lead to great results. In American culture, protesting has become as trendy as a Hipster with a well kept beard. Everyone thinks it’s cool, but rarely does it actually solve anything. The #OscarsSoWhite twitter protest is one of the few that has done wonders in raising awareness and pushing the powers at be to make changes.
With leaders like J.J. Abrams (Star Trek and Star Wars) and Ava DuVernay (Selma and upcoming A Wrinkle in Time) at the forefront, increasing Oscar membership diversity will allow for a greater diversity in film selection for Awards. This is only the beginning and one with alot of potential.
