“Are you saying that women and minorities have a more difficult time getting their stuff read than white men and you’re also saying that [white men] get to make mediocre movies and can continue on?” is an actual, sincere question Aaron Sorkin posed to an audience at an event held Saturday during the Writers Guild Festival in Hollywood.
This is an Oscar-winning screenwriter who has won six Emmys. He’s one of very few Hollywood writers who have achieved mainstream fame. And he seems to know startlingly little about the industry when it comes to its treatment of people who aren’t white and male.
“The West Wing” and “Newsroom” creator also asked attendees, “You’re saying that if you are a woman or a person of color, you have to hit it out of the park in order to get another chance?” He didn’t follow up the query by requesting that they explain “sexism,” “racism,” or “double standards” to him, but maybe that would have been a good idea. He’d clearly benefit from some sort of Privilege 101 class.
As hilarious as Sorkin’s obliviousness is, it’s also disturbing. One of the most well-known and successful writers in the industry — who has served as showrunner on numerous series — seems to have absolutely no awareness of Hollywood’s lack of inclusiveness. With conversations about the underrepresentation of women and people of color behind the scenes and onscreen becoming increasingly mainstream, it’s genuinely shocking that Sorkin seems to have missed the memo. But then again, is it? This is part of the problem — that many folks like Sorkin are living in a bubble of sorts. The problem isn’t affecting them, so they don’t notice it.
In his defense, the “Steve Jobs” and “Moneyball” screenwriter didn’t deny that the problem existed, and also indicated that he would like to be part of the solution. “Genuinely troubled by his lack of awareness, he continued to ask away and ultimately offered assistance,” Variety writes. “What can I do [to help]?” he asked. “I do want to understand what someone like me can do … but my thing has always been: ‘If you write it, they will come.’”
It’s what comes after the “but” that’s a problem. Hopefully as Sorkin’s education about this well-documented issue evolves he’ll reconsider his “thing” and realize that unfortunately the situation isn’t as simple as writing a great script.
Kudos to Sorkin for a couple of things, though. 1) He seemed to be eager to ask questions and learn more about the situation rather than giving his two cents about a problem he acknowledged he knew little about. Yes, it’s embarrassing that he didn’t know that these issues existed, but at least he’s trying to learn about them now. That’s something. 2) He asked what he can do to help. Rather than simply shrugging the situation off, Sorkin asked how he could improve the situation. And there’s lots he can do. We’d recommend — without snark — that he start by reading up on Hollywood’s discriminatory attitudes and practices. There’s plenty of research out there, including reports from USC Annenberg’s Media, Diversity, & Social Change (MDSC) Initiative and San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film. As “Selma” director Ava DuVernay has said, “The onus is not on the marginalized to educate.”
After he builds a foundation of knowledge, Sorkin can ask to talk to women and people of color in the industry about their experiences to gain some insight. (Listen to them. Do not talk at them. Do not come from a place of defensiveness.) Sorkin can look to someone like “American Horror Story” and “Glee” co-creator Ryan Murphy about how to be a better ally.
Last year Murphy launched Half, a foundation within his 20th Century Fox-based production company aiming to diversify Hollywood. Murphy aimed to have 50 percent of directing gigs on his show filled by women, people of color, and members of the LGBT community. “I personally can do better,” Murphy acknowledged at the time. And he has done better. Just months after announcing Half he exceeded his original goal.
Sorkin’s comments are making headlines, and understandably so. We hope this pushes the dialogue about Hollywood’s lack of inclusiveness further. That being said, let’s not just publicly shame Sorkin and turn him into a punchline. His ignorance is undeniable — and really, really frustrating for a lot of people — but he is explicitly asking how he can play a role in effecting change. Most of us aren’t educated in the public eye, and thank goodness for that, but the learning curve can be pretty humiliating. Rather than writing Sorkin off, let’s see what his next move is. Maybe he will make an effort and do his part to make a difference.
