NAACP Issues Challenge to Hollywood

Citing a continuing bleak picture for African-Americans and other persons of color in film and television, the Hollywood Chapter of the NAACP on Wednesday challenged Hollywood with a 16-point proposal to improve employment and the on-screen image of minorities.

And the group suggested that it would back its latest effort with a boycott of films, television programs and advertisers if a change doesn’t come.

Chapter President Sandra Evers-Manly acknowledged that despite more than 30 previous reports by the NAACP and entertainment labor guilds on the issue of minority employment, “the picture remains the same.”

The new effort differs from the past because it is the first time a plan and the suggestion of a boycott have been given to Hollywood, she said. During a press conference at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, she said a list of advertisers “who support the current status quo in Hollywood” has been compiled.

Evers-Manley said the chapter is also meeting with groups representing Asian-Americans and Latinos who feel similarly about Hollywood. “Our NAACP members and those in our coalition feel we must target those who sponsor various shows and films . . . to express our dismay with the lack of diversity in front of and behind the camera.” She said the 70,000-member Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, the nation’s largest African-American sorority, has given its support.

The 16 points include examining hiring policies and the ways that people are recruited and promoted. Evers-Manly said that her chapter’s studies show there are only five people of color out of 200 production executives at major Hollywood companies.

Other points touch on the image of minorities and suggest that each company make a commitment to balance the types of characters and story lines. “African-American images on television are centered in comedy and often one-dimensional. After 9 p.m., (people) of color are basically non-existent,” she said.

She made her remarks following a meeting with representatives from about 23 show business companies out of 75 that were invited. A source said those companies attending included Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fox Inc. film and TV divisions, MCA/Universal, Walt Disney Co., ABC-TV and Paramount Pictures, as well as the actors’ and writers’ guilds.

“We didn’t feel uncomfortable with the proposals,” said Sony’s Harvey Lehman, vice president of external affairs, who acknowledged that “there is a problem in the overall industry.”