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Actor Jesse Williams calls out tokenism, stresses the importance of genuine change in Hollywood.
Jesse Williams isn’t holding back when it comes to the film industry’s approach to diversity. While he's hopeful about the progress being made, he’s sending a clear message to the industry: Beware of performative diversity.
Speaking on a diverse storytelling panel at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend, the Grey’s Anatomy star shared his thoughts on the growing push for inclusion in Hollywood. However, he made it clear that there's a fine line between true equity and simply checking boxes.
Williams, known for his outspoken views on social justice, emphasized that while he recognizes and appreciates the efforts being made by some creators to bring more representation into their films, there’s a dangerous trend toward performative actions—those that look good on paper but don’t lead to any real change.
In a candid moment, he pointed to examples like the “Black square” social media posts that flooded platforms after George Floyd’s murder, calling them an easy but hollow gesture. “It’s one thing to post a hashtag or a black square,” Williams said, “but where’s the accountability when the cameras aren’t rolling? When the lights go down?” He went on to highlight how companies, rather than truly addressing systemic racism, often just hire people to “police racism,” as a way of pretending to do the work without tackling the root problems.
The actor also expressed concern for those who have been hired in this new wave of diversity, calling out the situation where people are brought in as the “Black friend” or the token minority in a project, but lack the qualifications to actually make a meaningful impact. Williams made it clear that while the intention to diversify is important, it needs to be done authentically and with care—not just as a trend or a way to boost a brand's image.
“Diversity in Hollywood should never be a band-aid,” he said. “We need people of color in leadership positions who are actually driving the conversation—not just on screen, but behind the scenes.”
Williams’ comments come at a time when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are facing increasing scrutiny across industries. Recently, a number of corporations and government bodies, including Meta and McDonald's, have reevaluated their DEI initiatives following executive orders and policy changes, especially under the Trump administration, which signed an order banning DEI programs in federal agencies.
Despite these challenges, Williams remains optimistic about the future. “I’m not giving up hope,” he said. “I see the work being done, and I think we’re moving in the right direction. But we need to stay focused on making real, lasting change—not just performing it.”
Looks like Jesse’s not just talking the talk—he’s walking the walk, urging everyone to do the same if they truly want to see Hollywood become a more inclusive place for all voices.
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