SAG Releases Diversity Report

The number of minority actors in television and theatrical roles reached its highest level in Screen Actors Guild history, according to its annual diversity report. Four minority groups - blacks, Latinos, Asians/Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans - accounted for 24.2% of acting roles last year, an increase of 2.1% over 2001. Unfortunately, the gains in employment were not distributed across all minority groups. While blacks and Latinos made gains, Asians/Pacific Islanders saw no increase in casting, and Native Americans actually received fewer roles. With the exception of blacks, minorities are still not represented in television and films in numbers commensurate to their share of the population of the United States. And while minority representation in front of the camera has increased, the same is not true behind the camera. "We still have a long way to go," said NAACP president and chief executive Kweisi Mfume to The Hollywood Reporter. "The opportunity deficit that exists behind the camera still cries out for attention. In an absence of persons in key position who can make real decisions or greenlight projects, progress is virtually nonexistent."