Selma's Martin Luther King Jnr star David Oyelowo speaks out against lack of diversity in UK film and TV
David Oyelowo, who starred as Martin Luther King Jnr in the Oscar-winning Selma, has spoken out against the lack of diversity in the UK's creative industries, arguing that films and TV are reflective of the white, middle class men "curating culture".
Image courtesy of Mobo
The actor and director argued those in charge of commissioning are failing to represent the diversity of society. "I'm of the belief that we go to the movies to see ourselves. What we predominantly have is younger, better looking versions of the people curating culture," he said.
Speaking at an event held by the Creative Industries Federation and Mobo, Oyelowo said that in order for the creative industries to become more diverse, the UK needs more representative "culture curators".
"Until we have, here in Britain, curators of culture that are reflective of the way we live, nothing is going to change, because we all have prejudices. We all have allegiances; conscious or subconscious.
"We are kidding ourselves to rely on the people in positions of power – at the end of the day, whether we like it or not, we look after our own."
Oyelowo also discussed how, earlier in his career, he turned to the States as he felt there were not enough opportunities for him in the UK. While at drama school, there were few black actors whom he aspired to, with many roles reverting to stereotypes. When he expressed his desire to take up roles created for white actors, he wasn't taken seriously by agents.
"I had a clear feeling that to succeed I had to not take the roles that were black roles, because they were caricatures or stereotypes – they were on the periphery."
Following his break after his portrayal of Danny Hunter in Spooks, "a non-race specific role", he looked to the States for opportunities that weren't available in the UK.
"In America, I saw black people on billboards, integrating in a way they weren't in the UK. I felt like I was planting my seed in unfertile [sic] ground, and that's why I moved.
"The opportunities I was afforded, to play Dr King in Selma for example, are not on offer here [in the UK]."
He added that he believes the situation is worse for young actors now.
He also expressed discontent with the predominantly white version of history portrayed in period dramas, arguing that there is another side to the story that isn't being told – one that represents the other side of colonialism.
"There is a misconception of what colonialism is. Look at the beautiful buildings of London – the blood of my ancestors is in those bricks. This story is not being told. It's to do with curation and a point of view."
Ed Vaizey, minister of culture, and Kanya King, chief executive of Mobo, also spoke at the event, held to launch a report raising awareness of the lack of diversity across the creative industries.
King said that more needs to be done to create a level playing field "to ensure every kid can dare to dream". She revealed Mobo wants to set a target of 20 per cent BAME (black, asian and minority ethnic) individuals holding jobs in the creative industries in London by 2020. Creative industry jobs held by BAME individuals currently account for 11 per cent, but according to the report, this figure should be 17.8 per cent to accurately reflect the diversity of the capital, where 40 per cent of the workforce is BAME.
She added: "It's so important to have the diversity agenda coming from the top, because otherwise nothing will change. We need to change the norm."
The Drum's survey on marketing industry diversity is currently open for responses.
Photo courtesy of The Mobo Organisation