By Lily White // Controversy // EEW Magazine Online

Last year, the Golden Globes did not air, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19. However, there was another issue at the heart of its troubles: a boycott of top actors, producers, and others in the film and television industry.

This year, the ceremony returned to NBC, though with little fanfare and some still refusing to support the annual gathering of Hollywood’s elite, to mark its 80th anniversary.

The glamorous celebration hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA)—the embattled nonprofit organization behind the awards—has been overshadowed by accusations of being racist and corrupt for accepting kickbacks in exchange for top honors.

The 2021 firestarter that burned the Globes’ image to the ground was a piece published in the Los Angeles Times, where the writer revealed that of the 87 HFPA voters, not even one was Black.

Oof. Fix it, Jesus!

Perhaps the Son of God, known as the Lily of the Valley, can teach this lily-white organization the importance of diversity.

Well, truth is that a little embarrassment already seems to have helped them along a bit. The HFPA has reportedly added six Black members. Additionally, of its 103 nonmember voters, a dozen or so are also now Black.

Adding to the organization’s shame, a few of their voters were discovered to be working full-time at notable foreign publications and accepting “freebies” from PR people looking to curry favor on behalf of clients, according to The Times.

These damaging revelations, especially those relating to the HFPA’s exclusion of Black voters, have caused many to shun the awards show. This year’s host, comedian Jerrod Carmichael, a Black man, tackled the issue head-on in his opening monologue.

“I’ll tell you why I’m here,” he said pacing back and forth on stage, “I’m here ‘cause I’m Black.”

Way to address the white elephant in the room.

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