Wendell Pierce on #OscarsSoWhite

The Brian Lehrer Show | Jan 22, 2016

Many people have called out the lack of diversity in this year's nominee list for the Academy Awards, prompting the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite and eliciting award boycotts.

Wendell Pierce, a producer and actor who appeared in HBO's "The Wire" and "Treme," offers his view of the lack of diversity in the nominee list and more broadly, Hollywood and the entire industry.

And what does Pierce see as the most insidious and insulting type of racism? "The feigned ignorance" of white industry members regarding finding talented directors, actors, and writers of color.

He points out he's not an insider -- he's not a member of the Academy, which is overwhelmingly white and male, and reminds us that women are left out when it counts, too (here's a Bechdel Test refresher, if you need it).

Lastly...if you're hiding out at home this weekend to ride out the snow storm, Wendell Pierce has some suggestions for a few good movies featuring or made by people of color for your enjoyment:  

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