The four black wimmin of the wokecalypse
Jason Koerner/Jesse Grant/Marla Aufmuth/Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images
June was a bad time to be a high-level DEI executive in Hollywoke, and a good time to have hope for the future of entertainment—even if it's a fool's hope. Over a ten-day period, a number of high-profile checkboxes have taken, or been handed, an opportunity to explore new phases in their careers.
Warner Bros Discovery's Senior VP of North America Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Karen Horne; Disney's Chief Diversity Officer, Latondra Newton; Netflix's Head of Inclusion Strategy, Vernā Myers; and AMPAS's Executive VP of Impact and Inclusion, Jeanell English have all left their positions. And yet absolutely nothing of value was lost. In some cases, replacements are being sought or have been found; hopefully, they'll think more broadly of representative representation—as opposed to mandatory representación!(representación!) quotas—and meeting audiences' expectations, rather than subverting them, when spreading the equity love.
The departure of four key Hollywood diversity executives has raised questions about the industry’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
Greg Braxton and Meg James, High-profile exits spark fears that Hollywood diversity pledges are just ‘PR’, Los Angeles Times
Well, duh! Pandering to DivErSitY AnD InCLuSiOn
™ was only important to Hollywoke's top brass all the time virtual signalling for ESG dollars was more effective than generating real revenue. It appears, however, that the winds of fiscal reality may be starting to blow through the corridors of power high-level ineptitude, as studios and streamers attempt to pivot to profit.
Hires that are only present for the optics are rarely best-suited to the position. Worse, those who think their position offers them a platform to educate
the audience according to their political agenda drive viewers away. I think most audiences accept diversity, when it's seamlessly woven into the story. But if it's egregious; overbearing; divisive; or outlandishly pandering, they look elsewhere. And why shouldn't they? It's their time, their money being wasted otherwise.
Nobody owes Hollywoke a living. Hollywood needs to step up with organically diverse projects. Oh, and respecting the audience and our cultural heritage; that'd be pretty cool too. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves just yet; four swallows do not a summer make.
"No comment!"
Horne, English and Myers declined to comment for this story. Newton did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Greg Braxton and Meg James, High-profile exits spark fears that Hollywood diversity pledges are just ‘PR’, Los Angeles Times
Which can be rephrased more succinctly as:
None of the diversities reciprocated a request for comment.
50% reduction in words, 0% reduction in meaning. My job here is done.