Final answer:
The #OscarsSoWhite controversy accentuated a lack of diversity and representation in Hollywood, leading to calls for change within the industry. While efforts like diversifying the voting bodies of award institutions were made, significant gaps in representation persist, which has fostered alternative media platforms offering more inclusive perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The #OscarsSoWhite controversy of 2016 brought to the forefront issues of diversity in Hollywood, highlighting the limited representations and narratives of people of color in the film industry. Much of the criticism centered on the fact that the stories being told were often about racism and slavery and portrayed by stereotypical characters like the "magic negro", roles generally scripted by White writers and directed by White directors. Moreover, the funding of movies and decisions on which stories to bring to the big screen were predominantly made by White individuals, reflecting a broader pattern of white male dominance in Hollywood.
In response to the arising concerns, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association aimed to introduce measures to diversify their voting bodies. Despite these efforts, it was disclosed in 2021 that the HFPA had no Black members, which led to significant fallout, including NBC's decision to stop broadcasting the Golden Globe Awards and actions by celebrities like Tom Cruise to return his awards.
Efforts to counteract the lack of diversity are being seen as alternate forms of media and criticism gain prominence. Outlets like National Public Radio's Pop Culture Happy Hour are diversifying opinions in media by including members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, and women on their panels, contributing perspectives that have traditionally been absent from mainstream media criticism.