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A Study Just Shut Down the Argument That Audiences Don't Want Diverse Casts

Published: 18 May 2016

The lack of diversity in Hollywood is obvious. But the more the issue is brought to light, the more those in charge continue to offer both blame and reasons why. Instead of looking to see what internal changes can be made to their casting lineups, studios consistently argue that the fault lies within the consumers who would rather see predominantly white casts. It’s certainly not a valid enough reason to excuse whitewashing, but is there any truth in that argument?

The Atlantic​ reports a study done by Venkat Kuppuswamy and Peter Younkin, business school professors at the University of North Carolina and McGill University, that actually proves the opposite. The team examined 723 mainstream English-language movies and it turns out that, of the films they surveyed, there were no black lead actors in almost two-thirds of the films, there was only one lead role played by a black actor in 23% of the films, and only 11% had two or more black principals.

Read full article: Teen Vogue, May 17, 2016 

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