According to statistics retrieved by the US Consesus Bureau, about 77.7% of the United States population is white. 13.3% consist of African Americans, who make up the largest minority group in the United States (maybe that accounts for their representation on film and in TV... aren't they the largest minority group represented?).
We have to defend Hollywood here. More than 350 white actresses have been nominated for Best Actor and Actress in the Oscars compared to only 21 blacks. Although the ratios may not add up exactly, they are pretty close...
So yes. The majority of America is white, so the majority of Hollywood, naturally, is white. If entertainment seeks to appeal to the majority, represent "reality" so its audiences can relate to what they see on TV to what happens in life, than obviously this has to be the case.
But does this excuse the fact that this "white majority" is perfect, normal, and void of any stereotypes compared with the minorities? Does this happen only in entertainment or in real life as well?
California, the technological capital of the world, one of the most diverse states in the United States, and the home of Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the Untied States (in addition to New York), have radically different demographics. 42.3% are white, 37.6% are Hispanic, and 7.2% are black as of 2010. The rest under 7.2% consist of a wide range of ethnic minorities. To those of us who live here, what do WE see in our daily lives? Do we think that's accurate? Do you have a few more white and hispanic friends than you do black and other minorities? Is Hollywood accurate in its representation and portrayal of stereotypes... and again... do whites have NO stereotypes at all? Are they the "normal...?" Consider that.
Who is Hollywood's main audience? What are their goals and what are they trying to address? I'll talk about that next week.
