Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1367665
sagaftra.org | Spring 2021 | SAG-AFTRA 51 W ith the anti-Asian American shootings in Atlanta still firmly on participants' minds, SAG-AFTRA's Stop the Hate Week summit in mid-April had an overriding theme: The time for just talking about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the entertainment industry is over. The time for action is now. Stop the Hate Week brought together SAG-AFTRA member leaders, members and industry experts to work toward advancing equity for the full mosaic of performers and broadcasters. Events during the week focused on Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, LGBTQ, women, seniors, Native American and Indigenous, Middle Eastern and North African, and the performers with disabilities communities. "We have just begun this journey, one that never will be over, because diversity, equity and inclusion are constant battles inside our industry, inside our union and inside of ourselves," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. "In virtually every collective bargaining agreement we negotiate, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are at the forefront of our priorities." "Black Lives Matter, the violence against Asian Americans, Latino children who were separated from their parents at the southern border and the violence against transgender people are just a glimmer of the reasons we are done with talking, and so our focus now is on action," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White. These ongoing actions, White said, are aimed at strengthening and expanding the pipeline for people who can enter the profession and build a pathway for a career. Following Stop the Hate Week, the SAG-AFTRA National Board reaffirmed its robust commitment to eliminate racism, sexism, homophobia, disability discrimination, ageism and other forms of discrimination that block work opportunities and impede performers' career paths. The Board approved a Diversity Action Plan that: • Includes provisions encouraging the use of inclusive language. • Provides for implicit bias training for the National and local boards. • Directs the creation and distribution of an inclusive practices guide for broadcast journalists. • Strengthens partnerships with allied organizations conducting diversity and inclusion research. • Recommends member education campaigns to promote the union's Low Budget contracts and their diversity incentives, and encourages members to complete their online demographic profile. The National Board also adopted a new membership rule — Rule 7 — explicitly prohibiting harassment and abuse, including sexual harassment, intimidation, and retaliation for the filing of complaints, and CJ JONES Actor It's important for the disability community to be visible … We're seeing the industry publish more information about this and we're making it happen. We're making access for all people. Click to WATCH CRYSTAL ECHO HAWK President & CEO, IllumiNative One of the greatest threats to Native peoples is our invisibility. Click to WATCH