The release this week (9/17/2014) of the Directors Guild of America's report that directors hired is still a 'White' game in episodic television further exemplifies major problems in the lack of diversity behind the camera in Hollywood. The DGA study showed that of 220 scripted series (3,500 episodes which as a standard rotate in multiple directors per show) from the 2013-14 network and cable season Caucasian males directed nearly 70% of all shows. Minority males directed 17%, Caucasion females 12% and minority females only 2%.

This scenario is a microcosm of what is going on in all areas behind the camera- being far worse in most cases. One only needs to visit any Hollywood set and you will see the lack of Blacks, Latinos, Asians, etc. in the grip, make up, gaffer, sound, camera crew, special effects, pyrotechnics, and the other many ranks including producer- except in the rare entities where the show is dominated by a minority like Tyler Perry or in the past Spike Lee. Those millions of viewers watching the recent Primetime Emmy Awards would have to be physically blind not to be able to see the lack of nominations or winners for the many behind the scene artistic and craft jobs. The minorities and women can't get nominations if they aren't employed in those jobs.

The lack of diversity behind the camera in episodic television and feature films has been a constant since the historical creation of these art forms. Only trailblazers like Bill Cosby took stands and hired (with their own personal money) minorities to apprentice under White craftsman.

So, instead of study after study which the powers that be ignore- a new approach is needed, an approach touched upon by the late first Black commisioner of the F.C.C. Benjamin Hooks. While President of the NAACP in the early 80's (same problem going on then 30+ years ago) he suggested that Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, and others 'Whitelist' those television shows and feature films that do not employ enough or at all minorities. These shows and feature films should be boycotted and not be watched (Neilson ratings/advertising dollars) or patronized (box office dollars). 

The only thing the film and television industry (or any other industry for that matter) understands is the almighty dollar. This worked and help to initiate the 'Civil Rights Movement'. When Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery in 1955 the boycott of the public transportation system began- which financially crippled it. The result (since Blacks were the strongest patrons of the buses) is now American history common knowledge. 

Minorities and women must utilize their power as consumers to boycott the entertainment entities that continue to practice 'defacto' racism. This would cripple the bottom line- profits. Then real change may happen. If minorities and women continue to support these entities- then they have no one to blame but themselves.

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