With the conversation surrounding diversity in television continuing to be a hot button topic across America, many are questioning how much of an impact Shonda Rhimes’ line-up of ABC shows will have on a potential shift with network programming.
Earlier this year, upon accepting her award for diversity during this year’s annual Directors Guild of America Awards, the “Scandal” creator, alongside production partner Betsy Beers, expressed her thoughts on the idea of being honored.
"When I heard I was getting an award I was really, truly, profoundly honored. I began to get calls from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, etc., and I was asked to comment on the award. Asked how good I felt about the award. Asked if it made me feel like I was doing the right thing. Asked if it had been a struggle making diversity happen on my cast and crews. While I'm still really and truly profoundly honored to receive this award, but I was also a little pissed off. So was Betsy. So over many, many, many bottles of wine we discussed this. Betsy and I are being applauded and given an award for something that we should all be doing. There shouldn't need to be an award!"
To underscore Rhimes’ sentiments, television writer Yesha Callahan appeared on HuffPost Live last week to discuss the uphill battle to increase diversity in scripted television.
“There shouldn’t be an award. But people always want to throw around the word, ‘Post Racial’ and unfortunately it’s a façade,” she admitted. “And although there shouldn’t be an award, there should be. There are people still aren’t embracing diversity, even if it can fatten your pockets, they’re still not into it for whatever reason.”
Check out more of Callahan’s HuffPost Live segment in the clip above.
Before You Go
