The Academy Awards and Their Diversity Requirements

I'm writing this on Patreon for a reason. Because for me, this will require more of a political response. I try to avoid politics on this channel for the most part unless it is part of an artistic point within a film that I am discussing. I also don't bring up or watch the Academy Awards, mainly because I find the self-congratulatory nature of it nauseating, and the political agendas they are constantly forcing down our throats inappropriate to say the least. But of course, the film industry cannot help itself lately, which unfortunately makes it difficult to distinguish the line between Washington and Hollywood. However, this is news that I have some passionate opinions about. And it speaks to a larger point about America in general.

I'm sure you've all heard the news about Hollywood and their new requirements for diversity in the Best Picture category and such. Let me state first off, that of course I have no issues with diversity in Hollywood or in any industry. It's pretty sad that I even have to use that as a qualifier in the first place. Does Hollywood overall need to be more diverse? Absolutely. It would benefit us greatly to have stories seen through the eyes of those with different perspectives. That's something I think most of us can agree on. But...this is a completely nonsensical way to go about it. 

Forced diversity is the problem I've been seeing for the last few years in Hollywood. An industry truly interested in creating variety in the workplace will find ways of encouraging diversity rather than dictating it. Diversity in art should never be mandatory. It is condescending to those who wish to be taken seriously in a career for their merit regardless of background or appearance. An industry that would forgo artistic merit for gender bias and participation trophies misses the entire point of what it means to be progressive. 

They constantly cram political agendas down our throats as if they have some high authority, and they wonder why people are turning away from it. There is huge difference between pandering to someone and respecting. I made this point a while ago in a Q&A video. As an example, Hollywood may think having an "all female" version of GHOST BUSTERS or OCEAN'S 13 will perhaps set an example for the rest of America, but to me it is insulting to the true definition of feminism. If you truly want to honor women,, work with original material, write complex female characters with flaws and fears and hopes and dreams. Do not rehash other people's ideas with a shallow political gimmick in order to gain an easy profit. 

But alas, they've learned nothing, and they continue to remain tone-deaf to what the people truly want, and it is a perfect representation of this current political climate: two sides blindly wishing to inspire freedom of democracy. But both have gone so far in the other direction that communication has become near impossible. By this logic, the Academy, who prides themselves on being so liberal and "woke" has fallen victim to the same hypocrisy they criticize from the right: potential dictatorship. 

Forcing a narrative they wish to see rather than allowing it to happen naturally will only inspire more backlash from the public who wish for true authenticity. It feels like a temporary bandaid being placed over a crumbling industry who has no idea how to remain relevant. I find it ridiculous, offensive to minorities of all sorts. A reminder of what can happen when you try to desperately save face, using real, serious issues to conceal your own flaws and lack of virtue as an industry. I think a lot of people, from both sides politically fall under this category. Using your political beliefs as a mark of your morality without understanding the mechanism in which you worship. Those  worried about a dictatorship because of one side or the other...perhaps need to look inward and realize, it is both sides that are closing in on a potential authoritarianism for failing to see the flaws in each other.  And that lack of awareness, couldn't be more personified by this particular decision.