The Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) vowed on Monday to make changes “immediately” to an exhibit about the Jewish founders of Hollywood.
Charges of Antisemitism
This was a result of a new letter signed by 300 prominent Hollywood Jews complained that it was antisemitic.
Jacqueline Stewarts, previous Academy director and president, came under fire (for various reasons) and subsequently lost her job last week. She was immediately relaced by a new director, hopefully more sensitive to the diversity of visitors, including Jewish and Asian-American.
“We call on the Academy Museum to thoroughly redo this exhibit so that it celebrates the Jewish founders of Hollywood with the same respect and enthusiasm granted to those celebrated throughout the rest of the museum,” read the letter, signed by actor David Schwimmer, showrunner Amy Sherman-Palldino and business leader Casey Wasserman, referring to “Hollywoodland,” which opened in mid-May.
“We will be implementing the first set of changes immediately — they will allow us to tell these important stories without using phrasing that may reinforce stereotypes,” the Academy Museum said on Monday.
The New York Times first reported the news.
