Halle Berry speaks out about the Oscars’ diversity problem
Halle Berry was the first African-American woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the 2001 film Moster’s Ball. During her amazing acceptance speech she said through joyful tears, “The door tonight has been opened.” However, 15 years later, after yet another set of unrepresentative Oscar nominations, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
At the 2016 Makers Conference on Tuesday, she spoke to reporters about her disappointment. “I believed that with every bone in my body that this was going to incite change because this door, this barrier, had been broken,” she said of her 2001 victory. The actress continued:
It goes without saying that this door, this divide between white actors and actors of color, should never have been there in the first place. 2001 is far too late to start making progress, but to have not made any more by 2016?
Voices like Halle’s are crucial, and we hope to keep hearing this chorus of voices until things finally change.
Related reading:
Why some celebrities may be boycotting the Oscars this year
The Academy president really wants to fix the Oscars’ diversity problem
