diversity
University of Virginia students propose $3M budget for Asian resource center
Four University of Virginia (UVA) students wrote a letter to the university outlining their concerns about the lack of Asian community resources and representation across administrative leadership at the school.
Students take a stand: The letter was authored by UVA junior Sanjeev Kumar, UVA senior Katie Zhang, UVA senior Lauren Xue and UVA senior Serena Wood at the beginning of September.
University of Maryland draws controversy for separating Asian students from ‘students of color’
The University of Maryland drew backlash over its enrollment and admissions graphic that separated Asian students from “Students of Color” and put them in the same section as white students.
What happened: The graphic was shown during a presentation by Daryll Pines, the university’s president, for the university senate “State of the Campus” report on Nov. 10, according to Fox News.
Leading global investment company requires bosses to seek permission when hiring white men
Boston-based State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), one of the world’s largest investment firms, is reportedly requiring executives to seek permission to hire white men.
Driving the news: The policy helps fulfill the company’s diversity goals, which include a 10-point action plan to address racism and inequality. By 2023, the firm aims to triple its Black and Latinx leadership (U.S. only; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic worldwide) and double its Black and Latinx employees at all levels (U.S. only; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic worldwide).
Oscars to Have New Diversity Requirements to Win Best Picture by 2024
The Oscars will be implementing strict diversity requirements for Best Picture eligibility in 2024.
The long road to true diversity: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) recently announced new standards of representation and inclusion that will officially take effect for the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Star Michelle Yeoh Says the Oscars Shouldn’t Nominate Based on ‘Diversity’
Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, most recently of “Crazy Rich Asians” fame, said in an interview Sunday that she doesn’t think Oscar nominations should be doled out solely for the sake of diversity.
Speaking to E!’s Giuliana Rancic on the red carpet of the 91st Academy Awards, the 56-year-old BAFTA nominee revealed that although she was disappointed by the lack of nominations for female directors this year, she also wouldn’t approve of the idea of nominating people based on gender alone, rather than merit.
Asian and Black Ballerinas Can Now Buy Shoes to Match Their Skin Tone
Ballerina shoes have traditionally been more of a pink or cream color, but a collaboration in the UK has developed shoes for non-white ballet dancers.
A dance company for Ethnic Minorities called Ballet Black and well-known manufacturer of dance shoes Freed of London have worked together to create shoes with colors that include “Ballet Bronze” and “Ballet Brown.”
Remembering Stan Lee: The Man Who Led the Way for Diversity and Inclusion in Comics
Stan Lee, the legendary comic book creator at the helm of Marvel Comics, passed away on the morning of Nov. 12 at age 95.
Alongside artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee was well-known for creating many of the most iconic characters in the Marvel universe, including but not limited to Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor and Iron Man.
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ To Receive Breakout Ensemble Award at the Hollywood Film Awards
Warner Bros.’ history-making film “Crazy Rich Asians,” directed by Jon M. Chu, will add another achievement to its growing list as the film is set to receive a Hollywood Breakout Ensemble Award.
“Crazy Rich Asians,” which is a film adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same title, features a big-name all-Asian cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Sonoya Mizuno, Chris Pang, Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, Remi Hii, Nico Santos, and Michelle Yeoh.
‘Most Woke Man in Fashion’ Casts All Asian Models in New Ad Campaign
Nepalese-American fashion designer, Prabal Gurung, has announced his casting of all Asian models for his fall 2018 “Stronger in Color” ad campaign.
Corporate Diversity Training Sessions Are Total B.S
If you work in a corporate environment, at some point you’ve been forced to endure a mandatory diversity training class. They’re inescapable at this point. Why does the diversity training industry even exist? In the 90’s and early 2000’s, discrimination lawsuits swept Wall Street and companies such as Merrill Lynch paid more than $500 million in class action settlements.
So in order to preempt lawsuits and create a more inclusive working environment, diversity training was introduced and “diversity” became an entire industry in itself. Now they are practically ubiquitous, even in some of the most so-called progressive institutions like universities and media companies.
Meet The Asian Stars Playing George Washington and Other Leads on Hamilton
There’s no denying it: “Hamilton” is a hit.
Its second national tour, which kicked off at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre in February, is selling tickets like hot cakes. This is great news for an amazingly talented cast — and notably, a diverse one.
‘BoJack Horseman’ Creator Finally Talks About the Problem With Whitewashing in Cartoons
Earlier this week, Indiewire discussed an often overlooked problem in animation: Whitewashing. Certainly the topic has been broached many a time in Hollywood, such as in the cases of “Ghost in the Shell” and “Aloha”, but animation is a different beast.
Whitewashing in film is easy enough to spot — if the character was originally a POC but ultimately was portrayed by a White person, Whitewashing has occurred. And while writers and producers will bend over backwards to change a story that allows for a White actor to maintain that role, such as rewriting their origins or erasing them entirely, it doesn’t change the fact that it happened.
