In a historic second, over 260 notable Jewish figures have signed a scathing letter blasting the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for “antisemitism.” The signatories of the letter from the JITC Hollywood Bureau for Jewish Representation embrace well-known A-listers like David Schwimmer, Mayim Bialik, Tiffany Haddish, Julianna Margulies, Michael Rapaport, Debra Messing, Ginnifer Goodwin and Marta Kauffman.
JITC, based by Allison Josephs, claims within the letter that the academy’s inclusion coverage “erases Jewish peoplehood and perpetuates myths of Jewish whiteness, power, and that racism against Jews is not a major issue or that it’s a thing of the past.” It criticises the exclusion of Jews as an “underrepresented” group within the academy’s “diversity” efforts.
In 2020, a set of requirements was launched to the Motion Picture Academy as part of its range initiative to recognise ladies, LGBTQ individuals, an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, or these with cognitive or bodily disabilities, as per the New York Times. However, faith did not make it as one of many classes.
The academy’s amended “Representation and Inclusion Standards” embrace actors or “significant supporting actors from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups” who’re Asian, Hispanic, Black, Indigenous, Native American, Middle Eastern, North African, Native Hawaiian, or different Pacific Islander.
In lieu of this, the letter states, “The absence of Jews from “under-represented” groupings implies that Jews are over-represented in movies, which is just unfaithful. There are only a few movies about Jews, apart from ones in regards to the Holocaust. Moreover, when Jewish characters are featured, they’re usually performed by non-Jews, a uncommon observe for different marginalized teams.”
“While there have always been Jews working in the industry, the industry has only accommodated a certain type of Jew: the toned-down Jew. A more flagrantly looking or observing Jew has never had a home in Hollywood. Even with today’s increased standards of inclusion and diversity, that Jew continues to not be welcome,” the letter continues as per the Hollywood Reporter.
“Jewish people being excluded from the Motion Picture Academy’s Representation and Inclusion Standards is discriminating against a protected class by invalidating their historic and genetic identity. This must be addressed immediately by including Jews in these standards. In addition, we’d like to propose further changes to the Representation and Inclusion Standards,” the letter provides.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
