Film

With a simple tweet, April Reign launched a diversity movement

WAVE NEWSPAPERS — Reign, a writer, editor and a former attorney who frequently tweets about race, politics and pop culture, said she was compelled to tweet in 2015 watching the Academy Awards nominations being announced on national television and being disappointed about the lack of diversity in the nominations. Her tweet #OscarsSoWhite went viral and a movement was underway.

Published

6 years ago

May 24, 2019

posted by Wave Staff

By Wave Staff

EXPOSITION PARK — April Reign didn’t mean to spark a movement.

Reign, a writer, editor and a former attorney who frequently tweets about race, politics and pop culture, said she was compelled to tweet in 2015 watching the Academy Awards nominations being announced on national television and being disappointed about the lack of diversity in the nominations.

Her tweet #OscarsSoWhite went viral and a movement was underway.

“It was supposed to be a runoff hashtag,” she told a capacity crowd May 15 at the California African American Museum. “I was in my living room watching TV and Chris Hemsworth, who played Thor, announced the nominees for the Oscars. I immediately noticed that African Americans were not represented in any of the categories. I tweeted the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite and left for work.”

Reign said that hours later, she checked the tweet, curious about the reaction it may have generated and was stunned to find that it had gone viral.

“I thought that the lack of minority candidates for Oscar nominations in 2015 was a fluke,” she recalls, adding that she thought the hashtag would eventually fizzle out. But to Reign’s surprise, #OscarsSoWhite continued to go viral.

Reign said that the following year when people of color again failed to garner nominations, she realized that the exclusion was no fluke. Pausing, she added, “How white was the Oscars? It was snow.”

Reign once again tweeted the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag.

“People, especially black people, really caught on as to what was happening,” she said, adding that the tweet once again went viral.

Due to the overwhelming response on social media, Reign made a decision.

“I had to determine if this moment was going to be a movement. I decided to focus a spotlight on the need for equity and diversity,” she said, realizing that systemic change was needed within the entertainment industry.

Since the hashtag went viral in 2015, Reign has lectured at conferences and academic institutions nationally and internationally about the need for inclusion of marginalized groups historically excluded by Hollywood.

“The lack of inclusion isn’t just a race and ethnicity problem, it is also a problem with gender identity, sexual identity and age discrimination,” she said.

“Why don’t we have more black trans women, people with disabilities, gay men and Latinos represented?” she asked, adding, “We have never had a disabled person playing a superhero. Asian and LGBTQ people should raise their voices and speak out about [the lack of] inclusion, as well,” she said.

In 2016, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced that the Academy would diversify the group’s membership by doubling the number of women and people of color within the Academy ranks. That same year, the Academy invited 683 new members to join. Nearly half were women and people of color, the most diverse group the Academy had ever had in its 88-year history.

Although the academy still remains overwhelmingly white and male, Reign, a former editor at BroadwayBlack.com, hopes that it will continue its mission to double the number of women and minorities by 2020.

“The key is to make studio heads understand that the more diverse a project is, the more it will positively affect their bottom line,” she said. “It can’t be like a Band-Aid on a cancer. There is no putting Tussin on it and praying it away. That will not work. They have to make anti-racism part of the agenda every single day.”

The #OscarsSoWhite hashtag ignited globally as well. Producers, moviegoers, actors and activists in Germany, London, South Africa, New Zealand and South America began calling for inclusion and diversity in their own countries.

Reign was invited to attend the 91st Academy Awards earlier this year and despite the fact that movies like “Black Panther” and “Roma” received awards, she still believes that the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag needs to continue.

“Until we are no longer having these conversations about firsts in 2019, and until we see everyone having the opportunity, whether it’s race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or indigenous people in this country, until we all have an opportunity to see ourselves represented on screen, not just during awards season but all year long, I’ll still continue to talk about #OscarsSoWhite,” she told Variety magazine recently.

During the diversity controversy, Reign praised actress Frances McDormand, who publicly announced that she would work to include people of color in front of and behind the camera.

And Reign noted that actors and actresses of color were no longer waiting for Hollywood to offer roles but are taking their careers into their own hands.

“Actors and actresses of color are no longer waiting for a seat at the table. They’re spearheading their own projects and creating content themselves,” Reign said. “Ava DuVernay, Will and Jada Smith, Michael B. Jordan and Issa Rae have all started their own production companies.

“I have made people mad,” Reign said of her inclusion efforts. “There are groups that feel that I am not doing enough or doing it the wrong way. I know that speaking out about marginalization will continue to be an uphill battle.”

Despite her critics, Reign said that the hashtag has generated invitations to speak about diversity and inclusion at conferences and universities around the world, and she added that most of the feedback from the Hollywood community has been positive.

“Arsenio Hall reached out to me. He said, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing.’ And Spike Lee said he believed he would not have received an Oscar if it had not been for the #OscarsSoWhite movement,” Reign said.

“The purpose of this movement is to move the next generation,” Reign said. “Racial diversity and equity may not be solved in a lifetime, but we must take pride in the progress that we have made.”

#OscarsSoWhite was not Reign’s first foray in igniting debate on twitter. She frequently uses her voice and social activism to speak up for causes she strongly believes in.

In 2017, she helped to create the #NoConfederate hashtag as well as the Keep Birth Control Copay Free campaign, a clap back at some of the recent votes to restrict abortion.

In 2014, Reign launched a twitter campaign to protest a celebrity boxing match between rapper DMX and Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman.

The charity event’s proceeds would have gone directly to Trayvon Martin’s family, who adamantly stated that they did not want the money and announced that they would not support the fight.

Reign also thought the fight was a bad idea. She created the #StopTheFight hashtag, which attracted protests and prompted one woman to start an online petition that generated thousands of signatures.

With online outrage continuing to brew over the upcoming fight, Reign received a call from the boxing promoter, who took note of the disapproval on Twitter and officially canceled the much-anticipated match up.

The activist urged audience members not to hesitate to get involved if they are passionate about a certain project or a cause.

“We must find ways to advocate for justice by any means necessary,” she said. “Just be sure to learn your issue backward and forward and you can help to make the world a better place.”

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Will Gov. Newsom’s New Film and TV Tax Credit Prioritize Diversity?

Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) says he supports Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to expand the state’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program from its current $330 million annual budget allocation to $750 million. Gipson, who is chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism, says, historically, that tax credit has aimed to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion” as outlined in SB 132.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

Asm. Mike Gipson (D-Carson). File photo.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Gipson, who is chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism, says, historically, that tax credit has aimed to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion” as outlined in SB 132.

He’s counting on it to continue making diversity a priority.

“The Legislature finds and declares an overall trend toward increasing diversity based on existing research on diversity in the motion picture production and television industry,” the bill language states.

In a statement, Gipson told California Black Media (CBM) the tax credit, “would allow our state to be more competitive against states with tax incentive programs of their own, such as Georgia, New York, and New Mexico.”

“The film and television industry is iconic to California, impacting thousands of jobs for below-the-line workers on film and television crews, as well as many others working in hair and make-up, food services and transportation, costume and set design, and more,” Gipson continued.

According to the Governor’s office, the increase would uplift the state for capped film incentive programs, surpassing other states. Gipson says he agrees with Newsom’s assessment and the notion that the program would bring more business back to California.

“California is the entertainment capital of the world, rooted in decades of creativity, innovation, and unparalleled talent,” said Newsom on Oct 27 in L.A. at the unveiling of the tax credit.

Newsom’s tax credit proposal is expected to appear as a bill during the next legislative session, raising concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion for some lawmakers and advocates.

Gipson’s CLBC colleagues Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) led a faction of legislators who demanded answers from Hollywood last year after several Black women left high-profile executive positions in Hollywood.

A number of those Black executives who left those prominent roles were leading DEI initiatives at major entertainment companies such as Netflix, Disney, British Broadcasting Company, Warner Bros., and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Speaking on behalf of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) employed in the industry, McKinnor and Smallwood Cuevas insist on holding television and film studio executives accountable as they benefit from taxpayer support but often appear reluctant to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

“I was highly offended to see the industry’s response to a $1.6 billion tax subsidy by quietly eliminating Black women from executive positions with a number of studios,” said McKinnor. “Many of these women were involved in their studios’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which raises a serious question about their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the film industry.”

The legislation for this year’s tax credit program has not been written, but Gipson’s staff has indicated that he will not introduce it – even though the issue is close to his heart.

“I applaud the work being done by the California Film Commission, the studios, and the entertainment unions, and I look forward to supporting this proposal next year as it moves through the legislative process,” Gipson said.

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Activism

Essay: A Survivor Relives “The Strike,” a Moving Film Capturing Injustices at Pelican Bay State Prison

It was a privilege to be invited to be part of the panel for the October 9th screening of the documentary “The Strike” at Sonoma State University.
Students from Caitlin Henry’s Criminology and Justice Studies class attended, and their engagement during the event was inspiring.

Published

1 month ago

October 21, 2024

Oakland Post

(L-R) Richard “Razor” Johnson, plaintiff and hunger strike survivor; JoeBill Muñoz and Lucas Guilkey, director and producer, respectively, of the Film Documentary “The Strike;” and event host Caitlin Henry, Criminology and Justice Studies Lecturer at Sonoma State University. Photo by Jonathanfitnessjones

By Richard “Razor” Johnson 

It was a privilege to be invited to be part of the panel for the October 9th screening of the documentary “The Strike” at Sonoma State University.

Students from Caitlin Henry’s Criminology and Justice Studies class attended, and their engagement during the event was inspiring.

After the screening, many students were deeply moved and had the opportunity to ask questions of the Director and Producer, JoeBill Muñoz and Lucas Guilkey, as well as myself, Richard Johnson, one of the hunger strike survivors and a panel speaker. I was one of the ten plaintiffs against the California Department of Corrections, a case that garnered the attention of the United Nations.

Some students lingered after the Q&A, expressing gratitude for raising awareness about the realities faced by those incarcerated. Their emotional responses highlighted the personal connections many have with the prison system, with some sharing experiences of relatives enduring similar conditions. It became clear that there was a significant lack of understanding about the Security Housing Units (SHU) and the stark differences between general population inmates and those confined in Pelican Bay.

On Oct. 23, the Grand Lake Theater will screen “The Strike,” a compelling documentary about Pelican Bay State Prison and the SHU. This film has received numerous accolades, including nominations for “Best Documentary” at the Imagen Awards and the Hot Docs Student Choice Award.

“The Strike” chronicles the harrowing experiences of California men subjected to decades of solitary confinement, culminating in the largest hunger strike in U.S. history. It will also be broadcast nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens in spring 2025.

This documentary is essential viewing, as it critically examines the failures of our judicial system in administering justice and the societal implications of our penal practices. It delves into the psychological torment endured by those held in isolation — many without any rule infractions — and exposes the broader victimization of individuals both inside and outside prison walls.

With over 33,000 inmates participating in the hunger strikes, the film provides an intimate exploration of the power dynamics at play, from the highest levels of state governance to the guards overseeing the units. It reveals the oppressive policies that perpetuate control and abuse within the prison system, ultimately leading to legal interventions to address these injustices.

Don’t miss this powerful documentary that challenges our perceptions of crime and punishment and highlights the resilience of those who fought for justice.

Join us on October 23 at the Grand Lake Theater at 6:30 PM. We will have Q&A at 8:00 PM after the screening with myself and some of the survivors. We look forward to your support and Tickets can be purchased online at www.renaissancerialto.com/TheStrike.php. For more information about the film, visit www.thestrikefilm.com.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

‘Common Ground’ Screening in Marin City Library on October 15

The public is invited to view the documentary “Common Ground,” a film about saving and regenerating our soil, at the Marin City Free Library, 164 Donahue St. in Marin City on Tuesday, October 15 at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Friends of the Marin City Library.

Published

1 month ago

October 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Graphic courtesy of marinlibrary.bibliocommons.com.

By Godfrey Lee

Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Friends of the Marin City Library.

This film explores the current issues with our food system and considers how regenerative agriculture and improving soil health can help address these challenges. “Common Ground” is being shown during the North Bay Zero Waste Week of October 12-19. Zero Waste Marin will also be watching the movie either at the library or by Zoom, and will be available for a discussion of the film.

Zero Waste Marin (ZWM) is a governmental Joint Powers Authority that represents the 11 cities and towns and the County of Marin, according to their website. Their mission is to protect natural resources by promoting source reduction of waste through reuse, repair, and more mindful purchasing.

They offer a variety of programs to make recycling and composting easy including: the Household Hazardous Waste Program, the Zero Waste Schools Program, and public outreach and education programs.

These programs align with County-wide goals to act on climate change and promote healthy, safe, and sustainable communities. To learn more about ZWM, visit zerowastemarin.org.