Captain America star Anthony Mackie says Marvel can do way more when it comes to diversity
Anthony Mackie has admitted that Marvel is not doing "enough" for inclusivity on its movies.
The Falcon actor recently criticised the studio's lack of diversity, especially in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Elaborating on why he decided to speak out, Mackie explained to Fatherly: "I'll say this, I don't think what's happening is a racism problem. I think it's an unawareness problem. With Marvel, I really think with most companies, they feel like they're doing what they should be doing. In no way, shape, or form, is it enough.
Related: Avengers: Endgame directors respond to Anthony Mackie's Marvel diversity criticism
"My big thing is, put your money where your mouth is. You can't cast a Black dude as one of your main superheroes and not expect him to have that conversation. It's just in my DNA to have that conversation. It's a huge opportunity for me to be part of the Marvel universe so it's my job to make sure the Marvel universe is as good as it can be."
The star added: "Anyone who's big in our industry, if they have a party at their house, their party is 98% white. If you go to their office and their office is 98% white, that reflects their reality."
Speaking about being the only Black person in meetings, Mackie continued: "The blessing about that is, I can go into those meetings and say, 'The next time I go into this meeting, I don't want to be the only Black person here'.
"When I did Altered Carbon, when they made me the offer, I said it's very important to me that at least one of the directors is female and it's very important to me that at least one of the directors is Black."
Marvel previously issued a statement in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, saying: "We stand against racism. We stand for inclusion. We stand with our fellow Black employees, storytellers, creators and the entire Black community. We must unite and speak out."
Its parent company The Walt Disney Company has also pledged $5 million to support nonprofit organisations advancing social justice.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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