Oscars controversy shows need for continuing conversation on diversity

Like others, I debated whether I should view the Oscars. The show is long and repetitive and I had not seen most of the movies. I decided to watch how Chris Rock would handle the "black nominees" controversy. I am glad I did. Both his message and the way he delivered it was pitch perfect. He made his points about subconscious racism or as he called it "sorority racism" with good humor and without being preachy.

The lack of black nominees is only a small part of the problem. The lack of opportunity for black actors and other professionals is a much bigger issue. It goes beyond just African Americans. Minorities barely exist in Hollywood.

While pointing out how African American actors are victims of prejudice, Rock stumbled by bringing out East Asian looking kids as a practical joke. That was not just poor taste but paradoxically an example of the kind of racism he was lamenting. Prejudice against the other is not a monopoly of the Caucasian American and neither are all white Americans prejudiced. Each group may stereotype the other. Many times stereotyping exists within an ethnic group. Comedy is the best medium to spotlight it.

Currently the group that is stereotyped the most and has the least opportunity in the media is the Muslim American. President Obama's suggestion to correct this is that the movie/TV producers have Muslims in ordinary, normal roles. Have you ever seen in a TV show a Hijab-wearing physician or nurse or attorney in a positive role? Or an ordinary Muslim American family?

Many simple, hardworking, Muslim Americans exist quietly in our country, contributing to the society in every area from academics to athletics from business to service from teaching to serving in the army.

Personally the greatest deficit, I feel, is the dearth of any Muslim Americans in the print media in a position of influence. Although under considerable financial duress, print media still does most of the in depth and thoughtful reporting and analysis. Movies and TV, important as they might be, are largely entertainment. There is an occasional reporter and copy editor, but not one mainstream newspaper in the U.S. has a Muslim American editor.

The need to counter prejudice has taken on a new sense of urgency in our political climate. Obama's presidency, through no fault of his, has engendered greater polarization. To almost everyone's surprise, our country has seen the rise of a strident demagogue like Donald Trump, who is unabashedly xenophobic, sexist and Islamophobic. His two closest rivals in the Republican race for party nomination are no better. They are craftier at hiding their ideology.

There are studies that show that prejudice has economic consequences. The current Oscars reportedly had the lowest viewer ratings of this show ever. Was it because African Americans and other minorities in significant enough numbers did not watch? Why would a minority spend time and money watching a show where his/her group is invisible or is a caricature at best?

The Oscar committee needs to be applauded in recognizing and attempting to fix the problem. The challenge for the nation is much bigger and lot more complex.

At its core, it has to do with dealing with diversity. We are one of the most diverse nations in the world. The number of ethnic groups, languages and faith affiliations are numerous and increasing. This diversity could be a source of strength, but is not necessarily so. It may produce fear of losing an old, dearly held way of life. Diversity often breeds fear.

The challenge we have, in politics and media in particular, is to engage with this diversity in a positive way. Politics may be a lost cause for now. A voluntary affirmative action type program may help the media become more inclusive.

The future appears bright. Our schools and colleges appear to be doing an excellent job. Political pundits have pointed out that the millennial generation is the most open-minded group in its attitudes of any group ever. The question remains if this group will remain as open-minded as they age.

Even if Trump does not win the presidency - the demographics are against him in the general election - others may pop up in the future who would be even more dangerous. Thought leaders need to work assiduously to make sure that the soil that yielded this poisonous fruit is sanitized.

Javeed Akhter is a physician and freelance writer from Oak Brook.