To say that Hollywood is full of white privilege is like saying that grass is green. It is a fact and every living soul is aware of it, at least on some level. But it’s always a great day when famous folk not only address the elephant in the room but spark a call to action to end the age-old race issue. And today’s glorious ally is Gossip Girl alum Penn Badgley.
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In a recent interview with PinkNews, Badgley called for a “worldwide directive,” demanding that Hollywood’s ~powers that be~ strive for inclusivity in the industry.
“If anybody exists at any kind of intersection of oppression beyond the box of white male, I’d say let’s make damn sure that they’re being represented by the people who have lived this experience [and] not have people who haven’t lived the experience portraying them,” the actor said, adding that at the moment “we have basically, like, privileged-ass white people playing everybody, and so we need to stop that.”
The media outlet then asked the star if he reckons gay and trans actors should be cast in gay and trans roles, to which he responded: “Yeah, I actually really like that idea, I do.”
“I mean, I think there are a lot of people who would say, ‘Well, it’s actually and therefore…’
“Yes, I think theoretically the idea that anybody should be able to play anybody is true. That’s only in theory.”
Sure, the words of one man won’t change the issue of white privilege that’s baked into Hollywood’s DNA but hopefully the more celebs that speak out, the closer we’ll get to a solution.
