#OscarsSoWhite. It’s the hashtag we have all seen at some point these past couple of weeks as the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominees has been scrutinized by millions, including actors and actresses themselves. According to world-renowned actor Will Smith, the lack of a diversity in this year’s nominees portrays “a regressive slide towards racial and religious disharmony.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

In fact, in all the lead categories—all four acting categories, picture and best actor, only Mexican-born director Alejandro G. Iñárritu helps to add to the “diversity” that the Oscars is ideally supposed to represent. So, where does this issue, of a lack of different races in several fields of study, stem from? The answer is simple—our society today.

Although many do not take notice of it, racism in both the workforce and everyday life is an inherent part of society today. Even though much of the attention that has been brought to light due to the Oscars has centered around African-Americans, it is important to note the suppression of other minority races in our country today as well—Asians, Hispanics and basically any other race that you can think of that’s non-European. This concept of underlying racial tension is referred to as “institutional racism” and can be applied to most fields of study, including the recent events brought forward by the upcoming Oscars, as well as several different races.

For African-Americans, according to a study conducted by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, only five of the 107 directors for the top 100 films of 2014 were African-American.

Similarly, with regards to Hispanic-Americans, according to a study conducted by Gallup in June of 2015, nearly 25 percent of Hispanics felt or have experienced discrimination within the past month at public venues, due to their race.

Then again, with Asian-Americans, although as of 2011 Asians represented nearly 5 percent of the U.S. population, they only can be accounted for a mere 2 percent of all television representations—a literal example of the suppression of minority races in this industry, an issue that can’t be fixed with a simple and clear-cut solution.

From our current standing, the only reasonable and somewhat effective solution, if embraced by Americans as a whole, would be to have a change of heart. Even though it may seem nearly impossible to change the beliefs of those that have those stereotypical ideals engraved into their brains, not all African-Americans are criminals, not all Hispanics got to the United States illegally and not all Asians are smart. It’s important to realize these notions are wrong, outdated and outright biased.

As institutional racism begins to decrease, so will the lack of diversity in many different fields of study—including the acting industry. Our nation was built on the concept of “a country of immigrants,” and that mentality still has to be evident in our nation today. The lack of actors of different races in this year’s Oscars helps to serve as evidence in all the work that is yet to be done, and the amount of progress that is left to be made.

What do I urge you to do? Do what you believe is best for you, and will allow you to raise awareness for the lack of diversity not only in the Oscars, but everyday social and public venues as well. If this means not watching the Oscars and advocating for change in your everyday life or not boycotting the Oscars but changing the values you abide by, then so be it. Embody the change, be the change and spread the change—progress is on the horizon.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Bethlehem Daniel at [email protected].