Assignment

Jane Doe

HIS 200: Applied History

Southern New Hampshire University

May 8, 2016

Revised Thesis

Despite years of often-fiery debate over the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations and alleged racism on the part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, history shows that when it comes to dealing with racial themes and issues, the movie industry is motivated primarily by economic considerations.

Introduction

In 1988 Eddie Murphy, the African-American comedian and actor, caused a stir at the 60th Academy Awards when he chided the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences "because they haven't recognized black people in the motion picture industry" (Murphy, 1988). Fast forward 28 years, and the same complaints were heard about the lack of African-American representation among 2016's Oscar nominees. But the continuing argument about the underrepresentation of African Americans in Hollywood misses a crucial point. Despite years of often-fiery debate over the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations and alleged racism on the part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, history shows that when it comes to dealing with racial themes and issues, the movie industry is motivated primarily by economic considerations.