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It’s no secret that casting prioritizes people of color and anyone who can score projects political points. Author James Patterson says it’s gone too far.

Hollywood directors, producers, and companies are making an active attempt to give more jobs to minorities and women. Many mainstream outlets constantly put pressure on directors and producers to hire more people of color for the big screen. UCLA now annually publishes an official measure for diversity in Hollywood.

Author James Patterson laments that these efforts cause Hollywood creators to exercise discrimination in their selection process. He says that creators are less likely to hire white or male writers, directors, or actors. Patterson also says it is even harder to find work if you’re older.

He had this to say in an interview with the Sunday Times:

“Can you get a job? Yes. Is it harder? Yes. It’s even harder for older writers. You don’t meet many 52-year-old white males.”

He also said it’s “just another form of racism.”

What do you think? Does representation on the big screen have to perfectly mirror representation in the population at large? Does a history of oppression and discrimination justify racist hiring practices today? Share your thoughts in the comments below.



Comments

    1. If you believe that you’re a moron. Racism is racism. Anti-black, anti-brown, anti-anything. Caucasian is a race like all the others. If you’re anti-white (caucasian) you are racist. You don’t have to be white to be a racist.

      1. So true! We have a whole country that is being brain washed! What ever happened to two sides to every situation! I would love to hear unbiased information and news! Racism is racism no matter what race it is against!

  1. Mr. Patterson is absolutely right. I’ve been saying that this rush to be the most diverse is nothing more than reverse racism. Seems like everyone is so panicked that they will be called out for not being diverse enough that they take it to the extreme.
    Happens with everything. As soon as people start clamoring for change the mob mentality takes over and takes it too far. Needs to be dialed back and balanced.

  2. I have personally been subjected to reverse discrimination and can tell you that it sucks, not being able to get into my chosen profession, even though I tested in the top 2% of those candidates and passed all written and oral exams in the same top 2% of those being considered. I had tried to get on to no less that 6 police departments and fire departments, to no avail, do to only being white and male, when I was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1970. I believe that using any criteria, other than strictly test scores and oral interviews, is totally prejudicial and shows a total disregard for those that are best qualified for any job.

  3. I agree with you James Patterson. I have enjoyed most of your books especially Jennifer’s letters to Samantha.

  4. If you are a White Male you are immediately an undesirable and Guilty of Racism or anything else they can come up with!

  5. Race is a contrivance. There is no such thing as race at least according to genetic anthropologists. Now, culture, that’s quite another matter.

    1. Or in the Miss Black America, the Black Holly weird awards, the Black channels, , the Black Caucus, Black Universities…etc, etc

  6. It’s about time someone stood up for the white bashing.. Yest it is racist to keep belitteling and talking down to white people. After all they do make up some 85% or our population

  7. If you can carry me down a ladder, you can be a fireman. If you CAN’T-black, white, or plaid–you CAN’T BE A FIREMAN.

  8. Also, you mean “awaiting approval”. Not “awaiting for approval”. One waits for approval. Welcome.

  9. Racism exists in every form and at every level. Despite being selected as a small, woman-owned business, and defeating 26 other firms for a favored contractor status at a community college; the black president (also female), said, “Hmm, a WHITE woman owned business doesn’t understand discrimination.” Really? Maybe she should take that up with the SBA, who has found enough evidence to justify set asides…and yes, even for WHITE woman owned small business. She personally put the brakes on my contract.
    I have always read and admired James Patterson-even more so now! It’s about time someone calls out the two-faced nature of the Hollywood elite.

  10. Don’t expect anti-white racism to diminish until law and order in the US is restored to some level of normalcy. Who knows how long that will take, even with a responsible government along with the same attitude in state governments.

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