Aaron Sorkin is just now discovering there's a diversity problem in Hollywood

Apparently, he's in "disbelief"
Aaron Sorkin is just now discovering there's a diversity problem in Hollywood
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Aaron Sorkin attends the "Steve Jobs" Closing Night Gala during the BFI London Film Festival, at Odeon Leicester Square on October 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI) Credit: John Phillips/Getty Images

Despite working in the industry for over 20 years, Aaron Sorkin apparently didn't realize white men had an easier time in Hollywood.

The Academy Award-winning screenwriter and executive producer of “The West Wing” and “The Newsroom” was at the Writers Guild Festival on Saturday, and was reportedly fixated on the issue of diversity in Hollywood—a topic he shockingly didn't seem to have ever mulled over before.

“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?," Sorkin asked audience members, reported to Variety.

According to Variety, Sorkin was in "disbelief" and persistent in discussing the issue, circling back to the issue of diversity despite other conversation topics.

“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 asked—again.

For anyone curious, due to a lack of opportunity, the majority of people behind the scenes of your favorite flicks and television shows are white‚ and the answer to Sorkin's question is a resounding yes.

During the discussion, Sorkin suggested that Hollywood was an industry that awarded folks based on merit, and listed the likes of Lena Dunham, Jordan Peele and Ava Duvernay before asking if he could support people of color and women.

“What can I do [to help]?” Sorkin said. “I do want to understand what someone like me can do … but my thing has always been: ‘If you write it, they will come,'" which unfortunately, isn't necessarily the case.

Sorkin's remarks didn't surprised folks, according to a variety of Twitter reactions.

Not sure how Sorkin missed the #OscarsSoWhite memo, but at least it's on his radar now.

Topics Diversity

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