The phrase “Forced Diversity” has been a buzz in social media over the past few years. The idea that incorporating minority individuals in mainstream media, including movies, television, and gaming, is not based on talent and opportunity but instead based on the concept of “Forced Diversity”. In this presentation, we will explore “Forced Diversity”, what it really means, and some "examples". For the sake of this presentation, we will be focusing our efforts on film and television. We will discuss some historic context and review data directly related to film and television writers, directors, and creators using real media-reported data to evaluate mainstream creators and diversity as it relates to our population in the US using 2020 Census data.

Presented by Denise Fullerton, Information Systems Specialist, Residential Life and Student Conduct and Community Standards