Jesse Jackson: Hollywood Needs 'Diversity'

NewsMax.com ^ | Feb. 22, 2007 | Reprinted from NewsMax.com

[Free ThinkerNY]

Jesse Jackson: Hollywood Needs 'Diversity'

Newsmax.com

Feb. 22, 2007

As seemingly half of Hollywood converged on a fundraiser for Democratic presidential aspirant Sen. Barack Obama, the Rev. Jesse Jackson was huddled elsewhere with Universal Studios president Ron Meyer over his own campaign - to increase industry diversity.

"We must go to each of the companies and agencies and urge them to make the industry open up and expand the market and the opportunities," Jackson said Wednesday during an hour-plus interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

"After all, we once did not know how big baseball could be until everyone could play. Right now, with the system (in) Hollywood, we don't know how big the entertainment market can be until everybody is able to participate."

Jackson's Tuesday meeting with Meyer and his planned sessions with various studio heads, talent agency executives and others are part of a continuing campaign by the civil rights leader's Rainbow Coalition to press for greater diversity in Hollywood's casting process and studio hiring. Citing data like a recent UCLA report showing low numbers of minority-oriented film roles, Jackson aims to convince industry elite that increased casting and hiring of minorities will broaden the creative scope of Hollywood entertainment and thus its revenue base.

[Free ThinkerNY]

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Where's my Budweiser franchise ?

[Borges]

The participation of African Americans in the Film business is at an all time high. Esepcially as film directors. Jesse is full of it.

[Screamname]

Hollywood Needs 'Diversity'....

And more crazy white wimmen...

[dinoparty]

Great, Jesse finally realizes that Hollywood needs more conservatives, as the liberals have a monopoly.

Oh, wait a minute, he doesn't REALLY mean diversity? Oh well, can't teach an old dog new tricks.

[popdonnelly]

Just how many jobs do Jesse's friends want?

[stephenjohnbanker]

.read my mind : )

[Moonman62]

I agree. They need more conservatives and Republicans.

[Chewie84]

My thoughts exactly. In fact, as I watched Regis and Kelly this morning, when they talked about the Oscars, at least two of the people up for acting categories that Richard Roeper (A guest on that episode) predicted would win were black (Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson, both for 'Dreamgirls').

[dinoparty]

What is the story behind that Britney photo? Is it for real?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Jackson is truly living in the past. Black actors such as Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, and Will Smith are major leads, and there are also black female actresses headlining movies and shows too.

It's really sad, in a way, what Jackson and the rest of the so-called black leaders have become.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Budweiser must have been an easy shakedown.

[Borges]

And Forrest Whittaker...

[zarf]

lol. jesse must be short on cash payments to the mistress.

[Frank_Discussion]

WHAT?!?!?

[petercooper]

I think he shook down Toyota for $500m

[Borges]

There's nothing preventing Conservatives from making movies. Most are just not interested in the film business.

[massgopguy]

Didn't Jess complain that there were too many Dominican players in Biesbol?

[Screamname]

Yeah, she split rehab and went to K-Feds place and proceeded to attack his SUV. I don`t know, either this is all a publicity stunt, or she has the worst divorce lawyer on the face of this planet. "Yes Britney, shaving your head and acting like a psycho will most certainly win you custody!"

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Old "Bareback" Jackson loves his money more than nookie...