Hollywood doesn’t have the best track record of properly representing racial and ethnic minorities in leading roles. Therefore, it was a great surprise that Latina Gina Rodriquez won a Golden Globe for her role in Jane the Virgin this past fall.

Yesterday, Glamour released an interview with Rodriquez in which she briefly expresses her thoughts on Hollywood and racism.

“Because if Jane the Virgin does well, [Hollywood] is going to open the door for five new shows that are Latino focused. We’ve already seen this start to happen. Jane the Virgin got a Golden Globe, and this pilot season everybody wants a Latino lead. … The more we show them that our united front can blow something up, the more they’re going to open those doors because it’s no longer a risk. This isn’t about racism. It’s about money.”- Gina Rodriguez

Yes, Gina is correct in saying that when it comes down to it, Hollywood just cares about the money. However, that isn’t to say that racism does not play a part in this system.

1. Hollywood upholds White supremacist ideals of beauty.

It’s common Psych 101 that people enjoy looking at attractive people. So it should be no surprise that Hollywood uses attractive people for their leading roles. But what is attractive for Hollywood?

Let us remember that Hollywood reflects certain ideals that our society unfortunately tends to uphold, and among them are White supremacist views of beauty.

For Hollywood and our society as a whole, White is what is to be aspired to. Magazine covers, fashion runways and movies alike all promote White ideals of beauty – White hair, aquiline noses, lighter skin (if you are black or brown), you name it. And so who must play the leading roles according to Hollywood? White beauties.

Don’t forget that Hollywood does not shy away from colorism. I mean, when Black men and women are in leading roles, especially roles that are love interests for main characters, they are not dark-skinned (with a few exceptions). And more specifically, whether they are leads or secondary characters, dark-skinned actors are frequently shown in either villainous or dark and dangerous roles. And actresses with deeper skin tones typically play characters that are abused or, to be blunt, go through some real tough sh*t. Don’t believe me?

Actors/actresses who are frequently portrayed as sex symbols or love interests:

Actors/actresses who typically are not:

2. For Hollywood, White is the default race. 

Regardless of beauty ideals, Hollywood uses White as a default race because, let’s face it, other racial and ethnic groups suffer from too many negative stereotypes. Blacks are seen as rowdy, violent, distasteful and commonly not beautiful. Latinos are portrayed as ‘illegals’ and criminals who just don’t belong. Asians are viewed as “taking our jobs.” The list of totally untrue and unfair stereotypes can go on and on.

Hollywood, whether they realize it or not, uses White actors and actresses because in our society White is safe. Being White is associated with more positive stereotypes such as beauty, intelligence, wealth and hard-work.

And let’s not forget to mention that Hollywood knows that some of their White audience members might complain if too many people of color were the centerpieces of shows and movies.

3. Sometimes making money means giving in to racism.

Times may be changing, but they aren’t different just yet. Yes, we have shows such as Blackish, Jane The Virgin, and Fresh Off the Boat. But Hollywood still hesitates to add diversity into the mix. That has always been an issue. From Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra to Emma Stone playing a quarter Chinese, quarter Hawaiian woman in Aloha, Hollywood opts for White before giving the real thing a chance.

 

Even though we might see more diversity up on the big screen, it doesn’t mean that Hollywood doesn’t regret it or frequently choose White actors over racial minorities.

Just look at what was revealed through the leaked Sony emails concerning Denzel Washington and his blockbuster film The Equalizer this past year. In one of the email threads, a producer commented on how The Equalizer, which brought in $191 million worldwide, would have been more successful if they had not chosen a Black actor.

“I believe that the international motion picture audience is racist — in general pictures with an African American lead don’t play well overseas.” – Producer of The Equalizer 

After reading these emails, one can debate that if the producer and casting directors could cast another actor, say a White actor who would be more receptive to a “racist” audience, they would swap Denzel out for the money in a heartbeat. So by pleasing racist audience members Hollywood abides by racism.

Hollywood makes its money by giving in to racism and perpetuating stereotypes that they think will sell. Hollywood may not cause racism, but it certainly isn’t helping it to go away by promoting White ideals of beauty and colorism while excluding diversity for financial gains.

So yes, Gina Rodriquez, Hollywood cares about the money first and foremost. But that in no way means that racism is not involved in the decisions they make in order to get as much money as possible. For diversity to truly triumph like Rodriguez says, yes we need to support shows with diversity, but society needs to change its ways too. Maybe then Hollywood will embrace diversity instead of seeing it as a financial risk.

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