Michael Mitchell: Archive

"Sure it's true that part of the demand for better representation is about social justice: We as a society have determined that equality makes the world a better place.

"But demands for increased representation are also demands for new stories. In fact, we already ask for diversity from Hollywood all the time when it comes to genres, styles, tones, and characters (from comedies to dramas, blockbusters to arthouse films, heroes to antiheroes).

"Adding more racial and gender diversity is just one more way to foster fresh storytelling. And that's inarguably a good thing."

--Caroline Siede, What If We Limited The Number Of White Men In Film And TV?

First of all, the basic contradiction of the alleged virtue of diversity is on full display here. Equality and diversity are opposites. You can't say everyone is equal regardless of race or gender, and then say we need more women in action movies and black men cast as doctors and lawyers. If you really think everyone is equal, then you shouldn't even be doing the racist and sexist math.

And secondly, equality and justice are opposites, too. Are criminals equal to law-abiding citizens? Are racists and sexists equal to Mother Theresa? Is Barry Bonds equal to Hank Aaron or Babe Ruth? Equality is a myth. Justice is a virtue. We all should get what we deserve, i.e., the rewards or punishments we have earned.

With all that said, as a fiction writer myself, I do think character diversity is "inarguably a good thing." Of course, I think it's wrong to force storytellers to practice diversity, and the first priority is always to the story, but a wider variety of characters and plots is desperately needed today. Honestly, I watch 50 TV shows a week and all I see are stereotypes.

However, I don't think social diversity is the solution. If anything, trying to please every popular demographic is the problem. It's embarrassing, the shameless pandering. It really has nothing to do with race or gender or age or sexuality. It's about morality, psychology and profession. For instance, I don't care if the protagonist doctor is white, black or Asian. I'm sick of doctors. I'm sick of moral "grayness." I'm sick of emotional dependence.

Also, one last thing. Since fictional characters are NOT real, "diversity" is the wrong term to use here. "Creativity" is better. We should encourage writers to be more creative when imagining their characters, rather than telling them what characters to imagine or not to imagine. "Creativity In Hollywood!" That's a movement I fully support.