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The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has unveiled plans for “transformational change” within the organization after years of backlash for a lack of diversity — but Time’s Up says the new plans are “not enough.”
The HFPA, a group of 87 international journalists that determine the nominees and winners of the Golden Globe Awards each year, came under fire last month when theLos Angeles Timesreported that the group hasno Black members.
Asecond reportfrom theLA Times, published the same day, claimed that the HFPA members receive lavish perks from the studios and networks whose projects HFPA members later write about and vote on.
Late Saturday evening, the HFPA shared astatementacross their social media pages laying out their plans for change, including “hiring an independent expert in organizational diversity, equity and inclusion.”
The other plans include focusing on “adding Black and other underrepresented professionals” to the organization, hiring a law firm to review the HFPA policies and increasing “support of internship, mentorship, and scholarship programs for Black and other underrepresented students.”
In response, the Time’s Up organization, which has been vocal about enacting change in how theGolden Globesare run, released astatementcasting doubt on the new measures.
“So NBCUniversal, Dick Clark Productions and the HFPA just declared that they have a plan to fix problems they’ve ignored for decades. We’re not so sure,” the statement began.
“On behalf of the many artists who look to us to hold the HFPA’s feet to the fire on the racism, disrespect, misogyny and alleged corrupt financial dealings of theGolden Globes, we need to see specific details, timetables for change and firm commitments,” the statement continued. “The right words are not enough. The clock is ticking.”
Jonathan MajorsandJurnee Smollett, stars of HBO’sLovecraft Country, were both excluded from the honors, as wasUzo Adubafor FX’sMrs. America, despitewinningbest supporting actress in a limited series category at theEmmy Awardslast September.
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Despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics,Emily in Parisscored two Golden Globe nominations, one for the series itself and the second for starLily Collins.
Various stars referenced the controversy during the Feb. 28 awards ceremony itself, including hostsTina FeyandAmy Poehler, whocalled outthe fact that there are no Black members in the HFPA.
Schitt’s CreekstarDan Levysaid during hisacceptance speechthat he hopes next year’s Globes reflect “the true breadth and diversity of the film and television being made today,” whileSacha Baron Cohenthanked the “all-white Hollywood Foreign Press.”
Jane Fonda, whilereceiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award, specifically gave a shout-out toI May Destroy Youand spoke about the importance of diversity in storytelling.
“Stories, they really can change people,” she said. “But there’s a story that we’ve been afraid to see and hear about ourselves in this industry: a story about which voices we respect and elevate and which we tune out. A story about who’s offered a seat at the table and who is kept out of the rooms where decisions are made.”
source: people.com
