LACK OF DIVERSITY IN FILM

Every year there seems to be a lot of hoopla over the lack of diversity in Hollywood. Hollywood's ignorance to diversity is not a surprise. The industry has dragged its feet on diversity for 80 years. In fact, almost all of the black films made over the last 15 years have been "music" biopics.

African Americans have to start looking into the nature of this problem and challenging the status quo. Why are most if not all of our black Bio-flicks made about singers, rappers, (who contribute limited influence to the whole of creation) criminals, and sports figures? Is this all we have contributed to American culture? John Singleton has signed on to do a film about Tupac. While I am a fan of Tupac's music, I am not blind. I find the idea of a Tupac movie ridiculous considering all the major black Americans that have contributed to the construction of America. The lack of respect becomes more of a problem when you consider how screwed up the Hip Hop culture is in regards to Black History. Russel Simmons pushed a Harriet Tubman sex tape, and Little Wayne disrespected the legacy of Emmet Till. They have commercialized and diminished Dr. King and Malcolm X. They have even minimized the contribution of the Rosa Parks and the SCLC. Despite all this, we want to make movies about rappers and sports figures. We ignore the scientists, teachers, writers, and civil rights leaders who changed the makeup of America. Sadly, when you diminish your history as just plain entertainment you really can't blame white culture alone. The fault also lies with us and our refusal to celebrate the things that show our contribution and advancement in this great nation. Look at the picture and take a count of the individuals that have never had a film made about them. Some of them are long overdue.