*Civil rights leaders in LA are blasting pay equity gap of African-American women in the entertainment industry. They cite the call by Mo’Nique to boycott Netflix. With that in mind, they are holding a walk for equity this Saturday, February 3 in Hollywood.
The walk is designed to help draw attention to racial and gender pay bias in the entertainment industry. The disparity of pay for women of color is a reality in many industries.
“Our coalition of civil rights groups are not prepared to support Mo’Nique’s call to boycott Netflix … yet,” says Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope in a statement. “But, we all agree with the facts that she stated: ‘Black women in Hollywood are underpaid.’ “No one can dispute that.”
Ali continued: “Fellow comedian Wanda Sykes, actresses Taraji P. Henson, Nia Long, Tracee Ellis Ross and Gabrielle Union have all said the same thing in recent years. There are some who may not agree with Mo’Nique’s methods, but she’s saying the same thing other black talents have previously said. Black people must stop allowing ourselves to be undervalued and underrepresented. If we don’t take a stand now to stop racial and gender pay bias, when will we? This isn’t a walk for Mo’Nique. This issue and cause is bigger than Mo’Nique. It’s a walk for all women who are not paid fairly.”
“The walk is being sponsored by ‘The Black Hollywood Advocacy Coalition’ which is a new L.A. based organization of leading civil rights activists who were at the forefront of the Oscars protests and boycotts of recent years. There were several black stars in Hollywood who doubted that the protests and boycotts of the Oscar’s combined with our advocacy would be successful.
“The fact is … because of the mass pressure that we helped place on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science leadership at the time. They did indeed make the controversial changes in Academy voting that we called for. That included more voters of color and women,” reminded Ali who added this: “We now have seen a record number of historic black Oscar nominees in the past two years. Our upcoming walk and rally will not completely solve the pay equity gap of women of color, but it’s a start. This walk is the first action of many that is planned for 2018, with a larger march and rally planned for this coming Spring.”
“Our coalition also plans to initiate meetings with studio heads to ensure more projects are approved that show a broader range of life experiences. We want to capitalize on the momentum we have since our Oscar victory’s. And keep the pressure on Hollywood” Stated civil rights leaders Najee Ali and Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson.
Date: Saturday February 3, 2018
Time: 11:00 am to Noon.
Location: TCL Chinese Theatre 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
Sponsored by: The Black Hollywood Advocacy Coalition
Project Islamic HOPE
President Najee Ali
Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable
President Earl Ofari Hutchinson
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference L.A. Chapter
CEO Rev William Smart
For more information: www.najeeali.com
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