John Oliver Gives A Helpful History Lesson On Hollywood Whitewashing

The subject of diversity in Hollywood has been the hot-button issue that has dominated the awards season conversation since the announcement of this year’s Academy Award nominees. But come to think of it, the subject of diversity in Hollywood has been a hot-button issue since — well — forever.

While everyone is busy releasing in-depth studies and statistics about people of color and other minorities in the media, John Oliver kept things simple on Last Week Tonight by saying what everyone already knows: Hollywood has been whitewashing since the dawn of celluloid, yet no real effort has been taken to diversify.

This year, it seems like the Academy is starting to be more proactive, but the payoff, if any, won’t be seen until next year. And whether or not this progressive action has an effect outside the confines of the Academy is unknown. It’s up to the hard-working creative minds in the industry to un-whitewash Hollywood.

Until then, we can enjoy the morsels of truth that were served in the show’s segment “How is this still a thing?” that basically rips Hollywood a new one when it comes to a lack of roles for actors of color, while white actors play Asian, Persian, Native American, and other minorities. All delivered with a polite, charming British smile, of course.

Dino-Ray Ramos | Staff Writer