Yes, Hollywood is a sexist place and industry. Have we just now noticed?

From http://media.santabanta.com/joke/visuals/9575.jpg

In recent weeks, such noted female actors as Carey Mulligan, Rose McGowan, Rachel Weisz, and the ilk have condemned the blatant and often disgusting institutionalized system of sexism that has plagued the film and television industry in Hollywood since its inception almost one hundred years ago. Yes, they are correct and yes, that is a huge problem, but… Why are we only now noticing this trend?

Hollywood has always been a hellhole of chauvinism, sexism, and debauchery. It’s what it’s known for, so why the shock and righteous indignation now? Has our culture finally “woken up?” Hardly. I think this is just another trendy topic to feel offended about, like grade school bullying and transgender struggles, to name a few. And that I think is a major problem. If a topic simply becomes trendy and fashionable to address, it then becomes marginalized. Yes, it’shorrible that Adam Sandler’s leading ladies haven’t gotten younger since themid-90s or the prevailing system of casting couch exploits and abuses aspiringactresses in the field, but what can we do about it besides just making angry blog posts, letting established actresses vent about the issues via social media, and “starting a conversation?”

I know I’m being a hypocrite since I’m doing the same thing; complaining about an issue online. However, I hope this blog starts a whole other “conversation” about the subject of sexism in Hollywood. How to stop it? What can we do to address the situation without glossing it over and letting it become marginalized. I fear that eventually the Carey Mulligan and Rose McGowan stories will blow over and people will forget about this huge issue, however they shouldn’t. First thing that needs to be done is to break down the system. Studios need to realize that times are changing and certain old school thinkers need to be let go. If more modern thinking female executives would join the Hollywood force, I feel the exploitation of women would drop, or at least even out the field with male talent.

What we must remember is that sex, power, scandals, and filmmaking have always been a heavy brew that makes up Hollywood. These things have been happening for decades andrepeatedly “exposed,” but nothing good ever came of it. It’s time to take a different approach  if we want changes

~Evgueni Mlodik