By Actor Djimon Hounsou Spoke On Sytemic Racism In Hollywood
The Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou gets real about systemic racism, being underpaid, and the struggle for genuine diversity in Hollywood. The actor shares his unfiltered story with Larry Madowo on CNN Voice and shares insight into how it inspired his philanthropic works.
According to Djimon Hounsou:
I’ve been in this business for over 30 years, making films for two decades, with two Oscar nominations and roles in several blockbuster movies, yet I’m still struggling financially to make a living. I’m definitely underpaid.
When it comes to African representation in Hollywood, there have been changes since I started, but not nearly enough. For example, I was nominated for a Golden Globe, but the Oscars overlooked me. There was this perception that I had just ‘come off the boat’ or ‘off the streets,’ and despite proving my talent, they didn’t see me as an actor worthy of respect. It reflects how deeply ingrained systemic racism is in the industry.
This idea of diversity that Hollywood claims to embrace still has a long way to go. Systemic racism doesn’t disappear overnight. It’s persistent and requires more than surface-level efforts to change.
When I hear people say I was one of the few Black actors they saw in big-budget films growing up, it’s a reminder of how rare representation has been. It’s mind-boggling, but also a clear sign that racism in the industry is something you can’t take lightly. You have to cope with it and find ways to survive.
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