The Hollywood Foreign Press Association took a moment to sort out its image during the Golden Globes telecast following calls from the industry to increase diversity.
the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hosts the golden globes, took time during Sunday night’s ceremony to address concerns about its lack of black members. (Of its 87 members, none are black.) A scathing Presentation from the Los Angeles Times last weekend ignited fury against the organization’s practices and prompted the HFPA to confront the situation early on on the telecast.
In a live presentation at the ceremony, HFPA Vice President Helen Hoehne said, “We celebrate the work of artists around the world. We recognize that we have our own work to do. Black representation is vital. We need to have black journalists in our organization.
Former HFPA President Meher Tatna said: “Everyone from all underrepresented communities [should] sit down at our table, and we’ll make it happen.
HFPA President Ali Sar said the organization must “create an environment where member diversity is the norm, not the exception.”
Earlier in the evening, hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler joked about the HFPA in their monologue as being “made up of 90 non-black international members.” They then said that the Pixar movie “Soul” resonated with the HFPA because it depicts a black man (Jamie Foxx) who is stuck in the body of a cat and “the HFPA has five feline members.”
Golden Globes presenter Ava DuVernay said in a social media statement ahead of the ceremony, “Many artists who have done great work this year are amplified on tonight’s show. I am proud to present HAMILTON to applaud the artistry of Lin-Manuel [Miranda] and the entire cast and crew. To be clear, the pressure applied to the Globes and its partners from now on is not about validation or the shiny stuff of this particular group. The truth that is not often discussed is that price participate in the economic reality of black filmmakers, artists of color and creative women in this profession. Unfortunately, those shiny things matter to those who fund, greenlight, produce, distribute, and market our projects. Therefore, everyone must have balanced access and consideration so that the playing field is more level for artists of all kinds, colors and cultures.
DuVernay’s contribution came on the heels of various industry organizations making statements in support of bringing more black voices to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Anger over racial disparity was stoked when Time’s Up issued a statement last week to protest the rewards. The Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild have also released statements in support of the protests.
Filmmaker Spike Lee, whose ‘Da 5 Bloods’ was entirely excluded from Golden Globe nominations, shared similar sentiments on Sunday: “The foreign press in Hollywood clearly has a lot to work do”, Lee written in a statement at Variety. “However, it was a joy to see our children Satchel and Jackson serve as ambassadors at the Golden Globes. I hope the HFPA understands that to stay relevant, it needs to diversify its membership. Put some sisters and brothers on this wall. You’re all tapped!”
My two cents. #TimesUpGlobes pic.twitter.com/WrrEu1cvfQ
—Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 1, 2021
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