This Is Why Representation At The Oscars Really Matters

The glaring lack of diversity among Oscar nominees extends far beyond the Academy Awards. It reflects a systemic issue that has plagued Hollywood for far too long.

Stories about people of color often go ignored or are widely misrepresented on screen. As a result, actors and activists alike have demanded increased inclusion in film -- from writing rooms to director's chairs.

HuffPost Black Voices collaborated with April Reign -- the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag -- to explain exactly why representation in film, and throughout Hollywood, matters. Watch the video above.