 Black actors are getting more recognition |
The number of roles for black and Latino actors in the US increased during 2002 in a record year for ethnic minority artists, according to a report. Along with Asian-Pacific islanders and native Americans, they accounted for almost a quarter of all theatrical and TV roles - up 2.1% on 2001, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) said.
Black actors accounted for 15.5% of all roles - exceeding the black population of the US which stands at nearly 13%.
Latinos, who account for 13.6% of the population, were cast in 6% of roles, particularly TV series.
SAG president Melissa Gilbert said: "We look forward to the day when all of the employment statistics truly reflect the American scene in realistic and positive ways."
Kweisi Mfume, president and chief executive of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said although the figures were encouraging there was still a long way to go.
However, Alex Nogales, president of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, said he was not satisfied with the progress of Latino artists.
"It's better than it has been, so I guess we should be a little bit grateful," he said.
"But if you consider how far they have to go to be equitable with us, I still have to be strong about the fact that for us, it's been generations of actors we've lost because we haven't been able to find employment."
US TV network CBS agreed that there was "still much progress to be made on diversity".
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It's been generations of actors we've lost because we haven't been able to find employment 
