New Oscar class makes faster progress on racial diversity than gender

According to a front-page L.A. Times graphic, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (including a more diverse slate of 2017 invitees) is 87% white and 72% male.

The article — "They're starring in the academy's diverse sequel," by Josh Rottenberg — reports that in "its latest step toward diversifying the overwhelmingly white and male institution, the Academy [yesterday] opened its doors to its largest-ever class of new members. A whopping 774 industry professionals were invited to join the nearly 90-year-old organization — topping last year's record-setting class of 683 invitees."

"[T]his new class is 39% female (298 women), which brings the representation of women in the organization from 27% to 28%. Thirty percent (232) are people of color, bringing minorities' share of total academy membership from 11% to 13%. Last July, The Times estimated that the academy would need to add 85 people of color and 395 women to its ranks per year to reach its stated targets."