There has been lots of ink spilled about the lack of diversity in Hollywood, especially around the Academy Awards. The overwhelming lack of people of color on the nominees list spawned the online campaign #oscarssowhite and was a starting point for many important and uncomfortable conversations about race and entertainment. While awards season is shaping up to be substantially more diverse this time around, there is still plenty of progress that can be made towards a variety of stories being told and voices being heard. One of the major players in this year’s awards roundup is Denzel Washington for his blazing role in Fences, and the actor is no stranger to the diversity conversation.
In a recent interview for 60 Minutes, Washington addressed the issue of fairness, as he’s had plenty of experience with the awards show shuffle.
“I’ve been the guy at the Oscars without my name being called, when my name is called, [and] when everybody thought they were going to call my name and they didn’t.”
However, he doesn’t see the current climate as a deterrent, but rather as a reason to keep pressing on.
“If you’re looking for an excuse, you’ll find one … Can’t live like that. Just do the best you can do.”
While he is certainly right that you can’t let outside forces stop you from making your art, it would certainly be good for more diverse voices to get more recognition for the work that’s being put in.
(Via Vulture)
