Don’t Buy the Hype: ‘Diversity’ Is Not a Value or Moral

Don’t Buy the Hype: ‘Diversity’ Is Not a Value or Moral

By Cooper Dowd, Staff Writer

Recently, UCLA released a report claiming that on-screen diversity brings in more box-office revenue than non-diverse movies. The new report from the UCLA-based Center for Scholars and Storytellers is called “Beyond Checking A Box: A Lack of Authentically Inclusive Representation Has Costs at the Box Office.”

“We asked, what is the cost of lacking diversity? Hollywood is a business, and no business wants to leave money on the table,” Yalda T. Uhls, a UCLA adjunct assistant professor of psychology and founder and executive director of the Center for Scholars and Storytellers, said.

Although proponents for diversity often view the word “diversity” as a value or moral, the reality is that it is a description and cannot be held up to or compared to the values upheld in scripture like truth, goodness, and love that are the real winners at the box office.

Each year, Movieguide® releases the Report To The Entertainment Industry, which shows that movies with family-friendly values and Christian/Biblical morals bring in more revenue.

Fewer movies are pushing for the inclusion of Christians and Biblical morals, which, according to Movieguide®, have exponentially better box office returns than movies without.

Hollywood’s push for “diversity” in TV and movies is not a novel concept. On the contrary, the conversation picks up speed with each passing year. This year, the Academy released new diversity guidelines for movies to be eligible to receive an award; this extended not only to the actors and actresses but also to the production team behind the camera.

UCLA’s report lacks strong evidence to support their claim. Moreover, when looking deeper into the examples provided, the disparity between movies appear to have little to do with biological diversity and more to do with intellectual diversity.

Even with a limited sample, the real differentiator is not diversity or the lack thereof. While many in the entertainment sphere are obsessed with implementing diversity based on a person’s skin color or gender, very few are interested in exploring intellectual and ideological diversity. Diversity at the expense of good storytelling will hurt viewership, not increase it.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.