Washington: Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-San Fernando Valley), who is upset with Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs over the perceived lack of diversity in 2015 Oscar nominees, has demanded an in-person meeting over the “unfortunate” issue.
The 51-year-old fairly representative of California’s 29th District wrote a letter to Isaacs to express his “shock at the lack of diversity” and stated his belief that the academy has “failed” to fully reflect America.
The politician also marked the mail to studio bosses including Warner Bros’ Kevin Tsujihara, Disney’s Sean Bailey, Universal’s Donna Langley, Columbia’s Doug Belgrad, Fox’s Jim Gianopulos and Paramount’s Brad Grey.
The congressman’s office sent out a wide press release announcing the letter as opposed to picking up the phone to talk with Isaccs or the Academy privately about the issue.
“While the issue of diversity in the entertainment industry is a much deeper problem, without an easy solution, it is unfortunate to see such a revered American institution fail to fully reflect our nation,” the congressman said in the letter.
He added “As a Latino and an engineer, I know what it’s like to be in a work environment full of people who don’t look like me. Throughout my career as a small business owner and as an elected official, I have surrounded myself with a diverse environment and promoted policies and hiring practices that are reflective of our community’s vast diversity.”
He further noted that “I would like to meet with you to begin a dialogue on how to build a more diverse entertainment industry to better represent the diversity of our nation and the world.”