HFPA Criticized For “Embarrassing” Golden Globes Diversity Statement

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association fielded backlash at the 2021 Golden Globes on Sunday night, after the organization addressed the lack of a single Black journalist out of 87 people in the HFPA.

Last week the HFPA—which is an organization of non-American journalists that nominate and vote for winners at the Golden Globe Awards—faced scrutiny when the Los Angeles Times reported that out of its 87 members, zero were Black journalists. About an hour into the hybrid virtual and in-person show, members of the HPFA took the stage and made a joint statement in response to the report, promising to do better.

“As we celebrate the work of artists from around the globe, we recognize we have our own work to do. Just like in film and television, Black representation is vital. We must have Black journalists in our organization,” Helen Hoehne, a member from Germany, said.

Meher Tatina, past president and current board chair, also said in the statement, “We must also ensure everyone, from all representative communities, gets a seat at our table, and we’re going to make that happen.”

Finally, Ali Sar, a Turkish member, concluded: “That means creating an environment where diverse membership is the norm, not the exception. Thank you, and we look forward to a more inclusive future.”

But the statement didn’t go over too well on Twitter. Many felt the promises echoed ones that had been made before, but never actually followed through on.

And it wasn’t just Twitter users who had a few choice words for the HFPA—hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did not hold back when it came to criticizing the very awards show that they were hosting.

“The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is made up of around 90 international no-Black journalists who attend movie junkets each year in search of a better life,” Fey said with a knowing smile in her opening monologue. Later she added, “Soul is an animated Pixar film where a middle-aged Black man’s soul accidentally gets knocked out of his body and into a cat. The HFPA really responded to this movie because they do have cat members.”  (Fey voices said middle-aged Black man after his soul leaves his body, in Soul on Disney+, for the record.)

To quote an age-old saying: Actions speak louder than words, HFPA.