The 2022 Oscar nominations arrived on February 8th, and diversity experts aren’t exactly impressed with the results as they relate to inclusion in Hollywood. Some observers still think this year’s picks were “noteworthy,” such as Dean of Social Sciences at UCLA Darnell Hunt, while others were left with a feeling of inadequacy.
This year, four Black actors received nominations for their performances: Will Smith for “King Richard,” Denzel Washington for “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Ariana DeBose for “West Side Story,” and Aunjanue Ellis for “King Richard” as well. Although not completely lacking in representation, the decline from nine nominated people of color in 2021 to four this year is arguably more symbolic of the lacking inclusion landscape in Hollywood.
In a USA Today piece which looks into the diversity of the 2022 Oscar nominations, Angela Reddock-Wright had the chance to share her insights. While experts like Reddock-Wright are aware of the wins, they also note how Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters still aren’t doing their part to ensure representation for both women and people of color.
Reddock-Wright doesn’t see much progress in Hollywood’s minority inclusion with the 2022 Oscar nominations: “We don’t see any movement this year. We don’t see them advancing the ball in terms of ensuring that people of color and women are, at least at the director level, at the center of opportunity.”
Reddock-Wright added a second comment in her interview with USA Today, mentioning how increased diversity in Academy membership would breed new perspectives on Oscar-worthy movies and performances as a whole: “But until some of those foundational changes start to take place, we’re likely to see similar results from year to year.”
To make diversity a priority in major motion pictures, the academy established new diversity and inclusion standards to abide by in September 2020, set to be implemented by 2024. The question is whether the industry and Academy voters will take it upon themselves to be more considerate of minority performances between now and 2024. With time, the year-to-year results will paint a clearer picture of Hollywood’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
Read Reddock-Wright’s insights in this recent USA Today piece for her full range of insights on inclusion in Hollywood. For media inquiries, please reach out to monty@kwsmdigital.com.
Experienced Employment Law Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator, Legal and Media Commentator
Twice-named a U.S. News Best Lawyer in America for employment and labor law, Angela Reddock-Wright is an employment and labor law attorney, mediator, arbitrator, and certified workplace and Title IX investigator (AWI-CH) in Los Angeles, CA. Known as the “Workplace Guru,” Angela is an influencer and leading authority on employment, workplace/HR, Title IX, hazing, and bullying issues. Furthermore, she’s been named a “Top 50 Woman Attorney” in California by Super Lawyers, a “Top California Employment Lawyer” by the Daily Journal and one of Los Angeles’ “Most Influential Minority and Women Attorneys” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Angela is a regular legal and media commentator and analyst and has appeared on such media outlets as Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Law and Crime with Brian Ross, Court TV, CNN, NewsNation, ABC News, CBS News, Fox 11 News, KTLA-5, the Black News Channel, Fox Soul – The Black Report, NPR, KPCC, Airtalk-89.3, KJLH Front Page with Dominique DiPrima, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times, Forbes.com, Yahoo! Entertainment, People Magazine, Essence Magazine, the Los Angeles Sentinel, LA Focus, Daily Journal, Our Weekly and the Wave Newspapers.
Angela is a member of the panel of distinguished mediators and arbitrators with Judicate West, a California dispute resolution company. She also owns her own dispute resolution law firm, the Reddock Law Group of Los Angeles, specializing in the mediation, arbitration, and investigation of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace claims, along with Title IX, sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct conduct cases, along with hazing and bullying cases in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, fraternities and sororities; fire, police and other public safety agencies and departments; and other private and public sector workplaces.
Reddock-Wright has also launched her own radio show, Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright, airing on Tavis Smiley’s new KBLA Talk 1580 radio station on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. PT with replays on subsequent Sundays. Listeners may tune-in by downloading the APP @kbla1580 and call the PowerLines at 1-800-920-1580.
For more information regarding resources for employers, businesses, and employees during this time, connect with her on LinkedIn for new updates, or contact her here. You may also follow her on Instagram.
This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.