Diversity is a bad word now: Issa Rae says minorities are losing their foothold in Hollywood
The current landscape of Hollywood is shifting, and according to Issa Rae, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have unfortunately become a bad word in the industry. During her appearance at TheWrap’s Creators x Hollywood Summit on April 13, 2026, the Insecure creator shared her candid perspective on the current state of representation.
It is clear that the industry is pulling back, and for creators who have long fought for diverse stories, this feels like a significant step backward. According to Fox News, Rae didn’t hold back when describing the atmosphere among studio executives. She noted that she is seeing a blatant shift in how investments are being made, with people feeling scared to commit to projects the way they once did.
Even more concerning is the pressure on executives of color, who she says are now tiptoeing to protect their own careers. It is frustrating to hear that these individuals feel they can’t support certain talent because they fear losing their jobs. When the very people who should be championing diverse voices are forced to stay silent, it makes the environment feel incredibly restrictive.
It is important to remember what these initiatives were actually about in the first place
Rae pointed out that DEI is meant to provide opportunities to people who wouldn’t otherwise have them, rather than being about pity hires or shows. She expressed that while the term has changed meanings and become toxic in the eyes of some, her own company remains committed to the creators and stories they prioritize. That kind of consistency is refreshing, especially when the broader industry seems to be moving in the opposite direction.
The shift hasn’t gone unnoticed, particularly since the political climate changed in 2025. Rae mentioned that creators now have to be much smarter about how they package their work to get it sold. She gave the example of framing a show about a Black woman as a show about class instead. While she admitted that it can feel icky to have to pivot, it is a necessary tactic to get the medicine down. It is a savvy move, but it is also a telling sign of the current gatekeeping in Hollywood.
Reflecting on her journey, Rae noted that we are back to a state of limited representation that feels similar to when she started her YouTube series Awkward Black Girl back in 2011. She had created that project because there was a total lack of archetypes that looked like her. Now, even after seeing so much progress over the years, she feels like we are back where we started, though at least we are doing it with more wisdom this time.
This isn’t the first time Rae has spoken out about the challenges facing diverse storytelling
Back in March 2025, she argued at a South by Southwest keynote that diversity just needs a better publicist. She highlighted that the immediate retraction of efforts to level the playing field stems from a mix of misunderstanding and fear. During that same conversation, she expressed admiration for the executives who are still fighting to get new voices into the fold, even when their own positions are at risk.
Her activism extends beyond just talking about the issues as well. In 2025, she famously canceled a sold-out appearance at the Kennedy Center after the center named Donald Trump as its chairman. In a statement on Instagram, she explained that she felt the move was an infringement on the values of an institution that had historically celebrated artists of all backgrounds.
Rae has also been vocal about the importance of supporting people on the grassroots level rather than just making noise, famously telling others to, “Shut the f— up and support the people doing the work and do that silently. That is the best way to make change, not to make yourself the center of it but to find somebody on the grassroots level and put your weight behind them.”
Despite the gloomy outlook on the industry’s current policies, Rae continues to find success as a producer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, her recent projects, like the comedy One of Them Days, have shown that there is a massive audience for these stories when given the chance to succeed. She has been very open about the frustration involved in getting those projects off the ground and securing theatrical releases.
It is a tough road, and as she noted while discussing her miniseries Seen & Heard, the history of Black representation on television is a long story of exploitation. Seeing her continue to push forward in the face of such resistance is a testament to her dedication to the craft. While the industry might be trying to scrub away the focus on diversity, creators like Rae are clearly not going to stop telling the stories they believe in.
(featured image: Bam0822)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
