Criticism is not always a bad thing. When dealing with statistics that many people hold near and dear, it is sometimes ok for differing parties to see the same number and come to different conclusions. I truly believe that this is what happened in conjunction with UCLA’s diversity report of Hollywood for the 2014-15 year. In reading the recent Deadline critique of the report, I am convinced that the analysis of both parties are based on two people looking at the same information and coming to different conclusions. And that is ok.
According to the Deadline article ” the [UCLA] report notes that “the overall minority share of directors for broadcast scripted shows for 2014-15 was 13.9%, up more than 5 percentage points from the 8.6% figure observed from the season before.” But by framing it as a mere 5.3 percentage point increase, it makes the actual increase – a whopping 61.6% – sound much smaller than it really is.” While the 61.6% is a gerat gain, the overall 13.9% is still relatively low.
Don’t get me wrong, both parties emphasize that the number is low and needs to increase, they just go about it in different ways. While one notes that there is much to be done, the second promotes the increases and paints a more positive picture. And that’s fine. I think in this country its ok to disagree about how we get to a certain number or final solution. We can also disagree on how to get there as well. The disconnect that plagues are nation is the inability for either said to compromise and create a solution for the betterment of the people.
Did UCLA low ball Hollywood’s diversity gains? No. But there were other ways to explain the numbers, and that’s fine.
UCLA Diversity Report Downplays Gains Made By Industry’s Women and Minorities