[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 140 (Tuesday, August 30, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE BLACK STUNTMEN AND WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 30, 2022

  Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, l rise to take note of the history and 
accomplishments of the Black Stuntmen and Women's Association (BSA). 
For 55 years, their pioneering efforts paved the way for all minority 
stuntmen and women to contribute their talents to the American 
entertainment industry. They have helped assure that television, 
movies, and other media, which have a global reach, truly reflect our 
nation.
  Founded in 1967 by Eddie Smith with co-founder Alex Brown and the 
group's first president Ernie Robinson, members would meet after their 
regular jobs in a park in Compton, California, to train and perfect 
their stunts for Hollywood. At the time, Caucasian stunt doubles in 
dark makeup nearly always stood in for Black actors during filming. By 
organizing together and working with Black actors who wanted more 
realistic stunt doubles, they effectively pressured producers and 
directors to change their practices and open the doors to their work.
  These were hard-fought battles. BSA filed 32 lawsuits to shed light 
on systematic discrimination in the film industry. With the help of the 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and attorney Margaret Ryan 
Kreeger, BSA won all 32 cases, including a 1976 judgment that ordered 
major studios to abide by federal mandates against discriminatory 
hiring, a major victory in an industry that saw itself outside such 
legal mandates. BSA's efforts ended the common practice of ``paint 
down'' to match a double to the actor's skin tone, while they also 
broadened and changed the landscape of the film industry.
  Forcing more equitable studio hiring practices not only cracked open 
the door for Black stunt doubles, but also increased Black and minority 
participation in many other roles behind the camera, including 
cinematographers, set and lighting designers, costume and make-up 
designers, even directors and producers.
  BSA's groundbreaking work deserves recognition, especially now that 
many early members have retired or passed away. While much work remains 
to assure real equality of opportunity, I commend the BSA for their 
continuing fight for a Hollywood that reflects all of America.

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