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UK survey reveals a stain on entertainment industry
According to the BBC, a UK survey shows more than half of all actors from ethnic minorities have directly experienced racism in the workplace.
According to the survey, more than 1,300 actors found that 64% had experienced racist stereotyping during an audition, while 55% suffered racist behaviour at work.
Meanwhile, 71% said hair and make-up departments had been unable to cater to their heritage, hair or skin tone.
British actor, Sir Lenny Henry called the findings a "stain against the entire industry".
He said: "This report finally brings into the open what many of us talk about, and suffer, in private.
"We all work in this industry because we love it, but we must do better."
According to the BBC, the report was commissioned by the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University.
The report showed that almost four out of five actors who responded said they had been asked to audition for a role that potentially stereotyped their ethnicity. Only 39% felt they could turn down those auditions.
The report also said stereotypes were hard-wired into casting notes, with Afro-Caribbean actors often told to "play it more sassy, urban and street".
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Sir Lenny said the lack of diversity in casting was "one of the greatest challenges facing the industry".
He wrote: "Every time we see a great actor like Thandiwe Newton, Idris Elba or David Harewood leave these shores to find opportunities denied to them in the UK, it is a painful reminder of why casting is so important."
It should be noted that the report also exposed specific issues around hair and make-up.
According to one respondent, "The few black hair stylists I worked with knew not only how to tend to afro-centric hair texture, but also Caucasian and thick Asian or Hispanic. But I'm still yet to work with a white hairstylist who knows how to treat afro-centric hair."
Source: BBC
