The Coming Backlash to the Oscars’ Diversity Mandate

Far from appeasing the hashtag activists, the Oscars have merely announced that the quota wars have begun.

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Director Spike Lee embraces presenter Samuel L. Jackson as he wins his first Oscar, February 24, 2019.

Mike Blake/Reuters

It’s easy to make fun of the Oscars’ new set of diversity requirements: Are we going to have to watch Lieutenant Colonel Anne Hathaway tossing grenades at Jerry in the next WWI movie? In the media, the initial response has been to gush praise for this “landmark,” “watershed” moment in which the Academy Awards have mandated hiring quotas for any film that wishes to be eligible for Best Picture (but not any of the other awards).

In about ten seconds, I predict, the Left is going to be furious. “We’ve been had,” they’ll surely scream. Let’s look at the details.

Kyle Smith

About the Author

Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is the film critic for the Wall Street Journal.

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