Agent complains: Minorities are 'putting talented white performers out of work ... and it stinks' — Page 2

This agent reeks of white privilege.

As do many of these long paragraph comments in this thread.

Please,

you're all making yourselves look bad by even analyzing this.

The agent is wrong PERIOD.

We've had decades and decades of white performers being the majority.

Everyone needs to check in with themselves and recognize this quote,

"When you're so used to having the upper hand, equality feels like oppression."

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Just to be clear, African Americans are not getting a disproportionate number of roles, no matter what anecdotal "evidence" anyone relies on.

According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2015, the African American population in the US made up 12.6% of the total population.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demography_of_the_United_States

However, according to Actors' Equity, in the years from 2013-2015, African Americans made up 10.89% of principal contracts in Broadway and National Tour plays, 8.68% of principal contracts in musicals, and 13.83% of chorus contracts.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1QufPYWJQEc4naChpN77ATG-3bzDRwrpw7MvqhnD1WEA/pubhtml

So, maybe frame the conversation around real facts.

Dave28282 said: "rattleNwoolypenguin said: "

We've had decades and decades of white performers being the majority.

"When you're so used to having the upper hand, equality feels like oppression."

"

Have you read anything? Your arguments are already undermined multiple times."

Where...? By you? That's laughable.

THANK YOU, FactsAreFacts. Dave is just spewing nonsense about “whiny black people” claiming they’re over represented and tossing out careless numbers based in zero reality. “One in every three roles is black these days,” is a completely ignorant statement to make when it is DEMONSTRABLY UNTRUE.

So Dave, keep telling yourself you just want “real” equality, but know that the rest of us see <<post edited by BWW staff>> you don’t recognize in the mirror.

Updated On: 5/8/18 at 09:02 PM

Elfuhbuh said: "I knew a certain poster would be drawn to this thread like a moth to a lamp."

I originally misread this as “a moth to a trump.” Lol

You know you're wrong when an account called "FactsAreFacts" is made TONIGHT exclusively to show you with hard evidence how warped your perspective is...

Welcome, FactsAreFacts! Please stick around for all of Dave's rants to come!

<<post edited by BWW staff>>

Updated On: 5/9/18 at 10:14 PM

Though Trump is doing his best to impede social progress on every level- society is making strides toward equality in so many areas- the progress does not come over night- but it is being made. And let's not forget that although she lost the election due to the electoral college- the popular vote in the last election did favor a woman by 3 million votes- we have had a black President- and in so many areas, progress is being forged. And this will continue.

I can kind of see Dave's point, but I also feel like that is a step that needs to happen to get out on the other side.

But as someone who is totally inclusive and open it does irk me to see shows like "Dear White People." I don't know, just rubs me the wrong way, but I guess, based on race, I'm just thrown in with the lot no matter how open minded.

RippedMan said: "I can kind of see Dave's point, but I also feel like that is a step that needs to happen to get out on the other side.

But as someone who is totally inclusive and open it does irk me to see shows like "Dear White People." I don't know, just rubs me the wrong way, but I guess, based on race, I'm just thrown in with the lot no matter how open minded."

Have you ever watched Dear White People or the movie it's based on? Or are you just judging it off of the title? It's probably not the show/movie you think it is.

The vision should always be unless a role specifically calls for a race, cast the best person for the role regardless of race. Same for the workplace.Maybe easier said than done though. It’s interesting because it felt like ‘affirmative action’ type ideas went out of fashion 10years ago but are now coming back full force. One of the unintended consequences is it does cause people to question whether you only got the job because of race or other factors such as gender. This wouldn’t be an issue if the factors weren’t part of the selection criteria - which is what the ideal vision for no discrimination looks like. Treat individuals as individuals not as group identities

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Updated On: 5/9/18 at 02:20 AM

Of course that is an issue - when I used the phrase “best person for the role” I think we both understand I am referring not to the subjective whims of an individual but a more of an objective best in terms of talent. Easier said than done I acknowledge. But I can’t see how the answer is with affirmative action. This seems to lead to a whole bunch of problems for all involved, no less by individuals and/or audience and/or colleagues that feel they are cast tokenistically. I personally think the answer is overhauling the selection processes used in the arts. Clearly define criteria for success and find a way to measure it at least semi-objectively. The selection process used for the arts seems incredibly behind other industries.

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HeyMrMusic said: "I think people like Dave fail to realize how rare it is for casting directors to bring in people of color for leading and featured roles, especially romantic roles. They are typically only brought in for “diversity” or when a show/role is specifically about race, very rarely for the talent of the performer."

Nonsense, I see black Phantoms, black Carlotta's, black Jean Valjeans, black Enjolrasses, black Eponines, black Doody's and Marty's, Black Russian Aristocrats, Asian Aladdins, Black and Asian Grace Farrels, etc, etc. In the tv world I see about every judge, lawyer, police officer, love interest, partner, basically every role being a poc.

Updated On: 5/9/18 at 04:20 AM