Comment on Aaron Sorkin, reportedly unaware of Hollywood’s diversity problem, had many chances to become aware

By Elahe Izadi, The Washington Post Commentary Aaron Sorkin apparently couldn’t quite believe it. The Oscar-winning writer and executive producer expressed shock when the topic of diversity and gender equity came up during the Writers Guild Festival in Hollywood over the weekend, according to Variety. “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 get to make mediocre movies and can continue on?” Sorkin asked the audience during a moderated discussion. According to Variety, “Sorkin asserted that Hollywood is a genuine meritocracy and that he was unaware of Hollywood’s existing diversity problem.” He kept returning to the topic during a question-and-answer session with the audience: “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?” Then, after listing a handful of writers who are women and people of color — Lena Dunham, Ava DuVernay, Jordan Peele — asked what he could do to help. The lack of representation in front of the camera and behind the scenes has been one of the dominant questions looming over Hollywood in recent years.