Activist and actor John Leguizamo took out a full-page ad in the New York Times on Sunday urging Emmy Award voters to nominate “non-white artists.”
The 63-year-old explained the move in an X post.
“I know everyone is exhausted about inclusion, but not us who are not included. So that’s why I took this ad out in the NYTimes. White peoples (sic) are only 58.9% of the population but over represented in top positions across the board. They are the decision makers in tech, banking, corporations, medicine and streamers and Hollywood!” Leguizamo wrote.
I know everyone one is exhausted about inclusion but not us who are not included. So that’s why I took this add out in the NYTimes. White peoples are only 58.9% of the population but over represented in top positions across the board. They are the decision makers in tech,… pic.twitter.com/hj1nbWKwlu
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) June 9, 2024
He continued, “America is better when it is inclusive. It is more profitable. It is more creative! Let’s not give up. I’m still woke! Are you?” then proceeded to tag prominent entertainment figures, including Whoopi Goldberg, Naomi Watts, Shaquille O’Neal, Missy Elliot, and others.
Voting for the Emmys will begin this week on June 13, per the Deadline, and all ballots are due by June 24. Nominee selections will be announced on July 17.
The 76th Emmy Awards show is scheduled to air on September 15.
Leguizamo’s full-page ad pleaded for voters to prioritize “diversity and inclusion” when making their selections.
“Please let this be the year we finally embrace change,” the Colombian-born actor wrote. “The year we truly find Equity, and see artists of color represented across not just one category, but ALL categories.”
“I know you’re tired of hearing words like ‘inclusivity’ and ‘diversity’ – treading water while you try to understand how to put actions behind these sentiments. Look no further! It’s simple!” he wrote.
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Leguizamo went on, “There are hundreds of prolific non-white artists who deserve to be considered for Awards this year, not because they are simply… Black, Brown, Indigenous or Asian but because they are truly great… exceptional artists who have achieved that greatness with a foot on their neck for far too long.”
“Let this be a start of a new era,” the letter concluded. “Let us not continue to white wash our Awards shows. Instead let this year be the catalyst that inspires the Next Generation of minority and underrepresented artists… a generation who might finally see a reflection of themselves on that stage and think, ‘If they can, maybe I can too…’”
