The former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association sent an e-mail calling the Black Lives Matter a racist movement, according to a report by Los Angeles Times on Tuesday.
Former president of the association that awards the Golden Globes, PHil Berk also described Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, as a self-proclaimed “trained Marxist” in the e-mail, which the Times reported was sent to members of the press association, staff and adviser. his general and Chief Operating Officer Gregory Goeckner.
Berk, who has served eight terms as president of the organization, also distributed a article titled “BLM Goes Hollywood” in the email. Berk did not cite the source of the story, but it came from ccommentator David Horowitz’s Freedom Center website, FrontPage Mag, according to the Times.
The article Berk shared questioned the fact that Cullors bought a $ 1.4 million California home after the national uprising and protests against racial injustice last summer.
The Golden Globes, before the awards ceremony this spring, were criticized for the lack of nominations both this year and historically for black artists. It is part of a critique that has been made of other award ceremonies.
This year’s Golden Globe winners included several black artists, such as Daniel Kaluuya for the supporting role for her performance in Judas and the Black Messiah and Andra Day for Best Actress in the United States vs. Billie Holliday. The late Chadwick Boseman also won Best Actor for Ma Rainey’s Black Ass.
HFPA board members responded openly to Berk by e-mail.
HFPA told the LA Times in a statement that “Since its inception, HFPA has been dedicated to cultural ties and creating an additional understanding of different media through film and television. The views expressed in the article circulated by Mr Berk are those of the author of the article and do not reflect – in any form or form – the views and values of the HFPA. HFPA condemns all forms of racism, discrimination and hate speech and considers this language and content to be unacceptable. ”
Hill contacted the Black Lives Matter to comment on Berk’s remarks.