Eva Longoria on August 22, 2015 in Culver City, California. (2015 Getty Images)
Actress Eva Longoria wants Latinos to make a colorful statement at the Oscars on Sunday.
She wants those attending to wear brown ribbons to show solidarity with Latinos in the entertainment industry.
Longoria’s move comes as the Oscar nominations this year refocused attention on the lack of diversity among the nominees, as well as to underscore the lack of Latinos who work in movies.
The so-called Brown Ribbon Campaign asks supporters to be active on Twitter, as well, by using the hashtags #HollywoodBrownout and #BrownRibbonCampaign, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The campaign also asks supporters to tweet during the Oscars telecast using the hashtags #HollywoodBrownout and #BrownRibbonCampaign.
Latinos are a significant part of the moviegoer population – about 25 percent – but have little visibility on the screen.
“I can’t wait for the day when 'diversity' isn’t just the hot topic of the moment, but a true reality that is reflected on screen,” Longoria said in a statement quoted by the Hollywood Reporter. “The change is coming, and I am happy to be a part of it.”
The National Hispanic Media Coalition is taking part in the campaign, urging members to wear brown ribbons at its Impact Awards Gala on Friday.
"The film studios need to accept the reality that people of color are almost 40% of the U.S. population and that Latinos specifically watch more films than any other group," said NHMC president Alex Nogales to the Hollywood Reporter. "We cannot be locked out of the jobs that shape our culture when we are so many, consume so much, and have the talent and expertise to be part and parcel of the industry."
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