Post by Vits on Mar 1, 2021 10:30:41 GMT
In a statement to the Times on Thursday, an HFPA representative said, "We are fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, tv and the artists inspiring and educating them. We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work to implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible.”
In 2013, the HFPA rejected a Black applicant, British-based Samantha Ofole-Prince, a decision that was the subject of some controversy within the group, according to the Wrap. In an interview soon after, then-HFPA President Theo Kingma was asked about the group's lack of Black members, telling the Wrap, "There is nobody [Black] because they can’t afford to come and live here. I’ve been a member for 21 years, and I can promise you I’ve never ever heard anything racial."
In an interview on Thursday, Kingma said he was working to address the absence of Black members in the voting body. "It is something that we should give a serious look at; times have changed, but sadly our bylaws don't change as quickly," he said, noting it takes two-thirds of the membership to approve changes.
In regards to Ofole-Prince, Kingma said, "Sadly, she didn't fulfill the [bylaws] requirements. ... Her publications paid her less than European publications, and she couldn't make a living here, which was more the reason to accept her. HFPA access would have really helped her."
In 2013, the HFPA rejected a Black applicant, British-based Samantha Ofole-Prince, a decision that was the subject of some controversy within the group, according to the Wrap. In an interview soon after, then-HFPA President Theo Kingma was asked about the group's lack of Black members, telling the Wrap, "There is nobody [Black] because they can’t afford to come and live here. I’ve been a member for 21 years, and I can promise you I’ve never ever heard anything racial."
In an interview on Thursday, Kingma said he was working to address the absence of Black members in the voting body. "It is something that we should give a serious look at; times have changed, but sadly our bylaws don't change as quickly," he said, noting it takes two-thirds of the membership to approve changes.
In regards to Ofole-Prince, Kingma said, "Sadly, she didn't fulfill the [bylaws] requirements. ... Her publications paid her less than European publications, and she couldn't make a living here, which was more the reason to accept her. HFPA access would have really helped her."