The Hypocrisy Surrounding Liberalism in Hollywood

In an industry that is notorious for granting the male white majority positions of power, the general progressive sway of Hollywood agendas are jarring; statistically white men have been known to be conservative. Hollywood has always been a place of political expression and activism, and liberalism has been a dominant force in the entertainment industry for many years. This trend has been particularly evident in recent times, with more and more celebrities using their platforms to speak out on social and political issues. From award show speeches to social media posts, Hollywood's liberal views have been on full display. 

One of the reasons why liberalism has taken hold in Hollywood is the industry's history of progressive values. From the early days of cinema, Hollywood has often tackled controversial topics and advocated for social justice. Films like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Grapes of Wrath dealt with issues of race and poverty, respectively, at a time when these subjects were still considered taboo in mainstream culture. As the film industry grew and became more influential, it continued to embrace liberal causes, with movies like Easy Rider and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. In recent years, Hollywood's liberalism has become even more pronounced. With the rise of social media, celebrities have more opportunities than ever to engage with their fans and speak out on political issues. Hollywood’s overwhelmingly liberal makeup has shown itself in not only its media and history of progressive content but the American world of politics as well; many celebrities have funded political campaigns in massive numbers, majority of which have been democratic.

While liberalism has been a defining feature of Hollywood for many years, there are certainly those who argue that there is a significant degree of hypocrisy within the leftist majority. With the industry’s previously established demographics, it should come as no surprise that Hollywood has a long history of poor treatment of women in the workplace. Despite being a bastion of liberal values, the entertainment industry has been plagued by a history of sexism and harassment. The #MeToo movement, which exposed the widespread abuse of power and sexual misconduct in Hollywood, was a stark reminder of the industry's failings when it comes to women's rights. While many celebrities were vocal in their support of the movement, they were also the ones who had stayed complicit in the culture of abuse that allowed these problems to persist. This pharisaical behavior suggests that this support is purely performative and, by extension, many other ideals held by members of the film industry. 

Similarly, celebrities’ positions on policy are not nearly as progressive as they seem. It is common for many in the industry to be in great support of progressive taxation and income equality. However, these individuals contribute to the capitalist elite. The very nature surrounding the film industry is built upon capitalist ideals and intentions, forever prioritizing profit and financial gain. These ideals will reflect themselves in their work. The film industry also relies heavily on its young audiences, which are majority left. This can lead to a situation where celebrities are willing to espouse liberal values in public, while privately engaging in behavior that contradicts those values. 

At its core, the industry's hypocrisy is its insular and privileged nature. Many celebrities and industry insiders are so removed from the struggles of everyday people that they have lost touch with the realities of life for many Americans. This leads to a situation where celebrities engage with liberal values without fully understanding the complexities of the issues they are addressing. The influence that these people have are far greater than many others, but by acknowledging the performitism rooted within the industry, their influence weakens. A weakened influence paves the way for creating systemic change within our entertainment industry. 

Chloé Ghazal