Michael B. Jordan & Spike Lee talk how Hollywood can help black filmmakers

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Michael B. Jordan and Spike Lee are speaking on how Hollywood could help out black filmmakers in the industry. Due to what's going on in the world today, Jordan and Lee want to lead the way for change but it's going to take Hollywood taking note and listening if any progress is going to be made.

Michael B. Jordan appeared at a rally in Century City over the weekend and he addressed the crowd directly.  The actor demanded that Hollywood start hiring cast and crews that feature more diversity than what is going on today:

"I want us to invest in Black staff. You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020. Where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring? Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants. Are you policing our storytelling as well? Let us bring our darkness to the light. Black culture, the sneakers, sports, comedic culture that you guys love so much. We've dealt with discrimination at every turn. Can you help fund Black brands, companies, cultural leaders, Black organizations?"

Spike Lee shared similar sentiments in a recent interview with "Cinemablend" where he was asked what needs to happen for Hollywood to do better with diversity. According to Lee, it all starts at the top:

"The answer is very simple. We need to have black and brown people in those lofty positions of the gatekeepers. These are the people who have the green-light votes. And very rarely do any of these studios have people of color in a position where they have a say in what gets made, and what doesn't get made. I've been saying this for years. And that has not happened yet."

Lee believes that if Hollywood starts giving people of color better positions within the studio system, that is when things will change. Lee spoke about the Academy Awards as an example and pointed to their changes over the years that have slowly started making some headway. Lee is also aware that this isn't a problem that will end overnight:

"If that happens, you are going to see a change, just like the Academy changed. When the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences changed… when they made that change to open up the ranks of the voting members, right away, you saw the result of that with the nominations and win! And none of that stuff would have happened if they'd not made those changes."

Lee does make a valid point, especially when using the Academy Awards as an example of the changes that have been made. Spike Lee's BLACKKKLANSMAN, Bong Joon-Ho's PARASITE, Alfonso Cuaron's ROMA, and Marvel's BLACK PANTHER and Jordan Peele's GET OUT all signal a change in the industry for more inclusion. All of the movies on this list lost out for the big award, except PARASITE, but they were all nominated for the big categories. I think you will see more diversity in film and television if you do open up the power positions to people of color so they can also be a part of the conversation of what gets made. I don't think it's something that needs to be forced because that can ring false as well but I believe the opportunities should be there as well.