The nominees for this year’s Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, were announced on Jan.13th and they are once again significantly lacking diversity. Most of the categories were dominated by white actors. Back in 2015, the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite circulated the internet calling out the Academy Awards for being exclusive. Since then, the problem still hasn’t been fixed. However, this is not just a problem with the Oscars, but with Hollywood in general. Minorities such as people of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community are still being hugely underrepresented in films today. This leaves us with the question: how can we fix Hollywood’s diversity dilemma? A couple of students around South voiced their opinions on the matter. 

Junior Elenna Kim has noticed the diversity problem, and although she doesn’t think about it much, she says that “it’s apparent in the movie industry.” 

This could lead to minority groups “feeling less included,” said Kim. “They want to be more represented. “

When asked what the solution might be, Kim talked about starting with hiring more directors of diversity.

On the matter, freshman Hazel Stringer believes “a lot more people of color have been chosen to be different parts in movies. I think it’s getting a lot better.” 

Stringer agreed that there was still much progress to be made and that part of the change should start with directors and their expectations. 

Hopefully minorities will be better represented at the next Oscars, There have been gains for minorities, but they are still vastly underrepresented. This change needs to start with Hollywood.