Halle

Hollywood’s Diversity Dilemma: Why Black Actresses Are Still Overlooked for Best Actress

 

Halle Berry remains the only Black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar, and she is not celebrating the milestone. In a recent Apple TV+ documentary, Number One on the Call Sheet, Berry voiced her frustration, questioning whether her 2002 win for Monster’s Ball brought any real change for Black women in Hollywood.

 

A Lack of Progress in Nearly a Century

 

Berry pointed out that in the nearly 100-year history of the Academy Awards, only 13 Black actresses have been nominated for Best Actress. Despite powerful performances from stars like Viola Davis and Andra Day, no other Black woman has taken home the award. She expressed disappointment that the system does not truly recognize Black women’s contributions, stating, “The system is not really designed for us.”

 

Berry's Personal Disappointment

 

In an interview with Marie Claire, Berry admitted she is still saddened by the lack of progress. “I’m still eternally miffed that no Black woman has come behind me for that Best Actress Oscar,” she said. While she initially believed her win would pave the way for more diversity, she now questions its impact. “I wanted to believe it was so much bigger than me,” she reflected.

 

Hope and Disillusionment in 2021: Shift Focus Beyond Awards

 

Berry’s comments have reignited conversations about representation in Hollywood. She recalled feeling hopeful in 2021 when both Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday) were nominated. However, both lost to Frances McDormand (Nomadland), who secured her third Oscar win.

While Berry acknowledges the importance of awards, she urges Black actresses to shift their focus. “We have to stop coveting that which is not for us,” she said, emphasizing that the true value of art lies in its impact on people’s lives rather than industry recognition.

 

A History of Systemic Bias

 

Hollywood’s diversity struggles extend beyond the Best Actress category. Other Black actresses, including Whoopi Goldberg, Taraji P. Henson, and Angela Bassett, have spoken out about systemic biases within the industry. Goldberg, who won Best Supporting Actress for Ghost in 1991, questioned how the Academy has found no other Black woman “good enough” to win Best Actress in nearly a century.

 

From Hattie McDaniel to Today: A Long Road

 

Hattie McDaniel became the first Black female Oscar winner in 1940 when she took the award for Best Supporting Actress for Gone with the Wind. However, during the Oscar ceremony, she had to sit at a segregated table there.

Since then, a lot of other Black actresses have shared the stage as winners receiving awards for their phenomenal performances in supporting roles like Jennifer Hudson, Lupita Nyong'o, and Viola Davis. The stark contrast, however, that exists between Best Actress award winners and no such representation denotes existing inequalities.

 

A Call for Change in Hollywood

 

Berry's reflections challenge Hollywood anew: how they have defined the terms of diversity and representation. In the hopes of many, however, it will one day soon come true that Black actresses are recognized and honored, not just by nominations but by awards as well.