Sometimes it feels like sexist biases are just a part of life we’re all supposed to put up with.
But the American Civil Liberties Union has taken a major step in trying to combat ingrained sexism in a very concrete way. The organization has initiated an investigation into the hiring practices of major Hollywood studios, networks, and talent agencies, asserting that discrimination has hindered the recruiting and hiring of female directors.
The ACLU has plenty of data to back up their accusation. Last year 70 network shows hired no female directors at all, and in 2014 women directed only 7 percent of the 250 top grossing films even though women are well represented in prominent film schools. According to the ACLU, "The failure to hire women directors in film and television cannot be attributed to a lack of qualified or interested women."
Regardless of whether the ACLU is actually able to fight the battle legally, the very fact that this investigation exists could influence some changes in Hollywood. “Gender discrimination is illegal," explained Melissa Goodman, the director of the LGBT, Gender and Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California. "And, really, Hollywood doesn’t get this free pass when it comes to civil rights and gender discrimination.” This investigation is part of a larger push to openly challenge industry sexism that has included the likes of the Shit People Say to Women Directors Tumblr and this satirical video from the Make It Fair project.
The New York Times has more on the story and you can read additional details over on the ACLU of Southern California’s website.
