Why Hollywood is lagging behind

VCG.

Editor's note: Haider Rifaat is a writer for the South China Morning Post, Arabian Moda magazine, Good Times magazine and OK! Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Hollywood has had its fair share of downfalls this year. The local box office alone experienced a major blow considering the repercussions of the pandemic.

What makes matters worse for the United States is the gross political mismanagement of COVID-19 that has caused a rapid increase in infections but more importantly, an immense strain on the country's economy, particularly the entertainment sector.

Hollywood has been largely criticized for not being inclusive enough. African-American, Latino and Asian actors at large are exempt from leading a majority of A-list film and television productions.

The average "heroes" and "heroines," who get to be centerpieces in films, are predominately white actors, which is ironic considering that the United States is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities.

Therefore, not being able to see more artists from diverse backgrounds on-screen only raises more eyebrows.

Liu Yifei attends Disney's "Mulan" World Premiere, Dolby Theater, Hollywood, California, U.S., March 09, 2020. /VCG

Then there is the relatability factor. Minorities who tune into their favorite television shows and films are oftentimes disappointed when they don't come across characters who look like them.

They are unable to resonate with the kind of stories that are being told at present. It is well-founded that more than 18 percent of America's population is Hispanic while 13.4 percent is African American and nearly 6 percent Asian.

At least 37 percent of the United States' population is grossly underrepresented in Hollywood, which puts production companies in the hot seat.

According to alatest report by the Inclusion Initiative at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism,an astounding 44 of Hollywood's recent productions had no Hispanic characters, 15 films had no African-American characters and 36 movies failed to represent Asians.

Only a handful of underrepresented actors have led stories in the past. It is a rare occasion seeing them in pivotal, constructive roles. Hollywood production companies choose to give minority groups the opportunity to "lead" certain films just so it would make them look good. Their casting decisions almost feel forced, and it is obviously not a decision that works in their favor to cast minority artists.

What is even more surprising is that 80 percent of directors, who had some of the biggest hit films in 2019, were white**. **So, it is not as if only underrepresented actors are not given their due share of opportunities. Even directors and producers who constitute minorities are met with professional challenges.

The much-needed change we expect for minority artists in Hollywood would not take effect unless white male directors are stripped of their "privilege." They want to stick with their traditional ways of telling stories without evolving or giving minorities their due representation.

Even writers bear a social responsibility to change our perception of minority groups including Asians, Hispanics and African Americans in Hollywood productions.

The constant recycling of racial stereotypes in American films and television shows has vastly contributed to how the audience perceives underrepresented groups. If writers assume the responsibility of shifting the narrative and stigma around minorities, things can evolve for the better.

Hollywood could be a more diverse industry if only minority actors didn't feel so relegated. Unless stories are told from different veneers, wanting change for underrepresented artists is nearly impossible.

The norm of idolizing white actors in lead roles has got to stop now. More Asian, African American and Hispanic actors, directors, producers, visual artists and other creative individuals should be considered an integral part of American cinema. That way, they can push boundaries and spearhead change in the industry.

Right now, Hollywood is in the hands of powerful media giants who get to dictate the rules, but it is high time that underrepresented groups take their power away through hard work and recognition.

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