Golden Globes ex-President fired over Black Lives Matter email comparing anti-racism group to Charles Manson

Former Golden Globes president Philip Berk has been fired from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association over a controversial email regarding Black Lives Matter. 

Phil Berk, who had been president of the awards for eight years, was expelled from the HFPA board on Tuesday after 44 years as a member. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, he had forwarded an email linked to an article titled ‘BLM Goes Hollywood’ and which compared the BLM anti-racism movement to Charles Manson’s cult. 

Confirming his departure from their board, a HFPA spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Effective immediately, Phil Berk is no longer a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. 

‘Since its inception, the HFPA has dedicated itself to bridging cultural connections and creating further understanding of different backgrounds through film and TV. 

‘The views expressed in the article circulated by Mr Berk are those of the author of the article and do not – in any way shape or form – reflect the views and values of the HFPA. The HFPA condemns all forms of racism, discrimination and hate speech and finds such language and content unacceptable.’ 

NBC, which airs the Golden Globes, had pushed the organisation to take action and had earlier said in their own statement: ‘NBC strongly condemns Phil Berk’s actions and is calling for his immediate expulsion. 

‘While we continue to await the details of HFPA’s upcoming plan for reform, swift action on this front is an essential element for NBC to move forward with the HFPA and the Golden Globes.’ 

Berk, 88, allegedly said he sent the email as a ‘point of information’ but regretted forwarding it on. 

The article, published by FrontPage Mag on April 12, circled in on BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors and the recent allegations that she has built a $3million (£2m) property portfolio of four homes, with questions around how she funded the purchases. 

Cullors has since vehemently denied using BLM donations and has instead funded her empire from personal ventures such as her book releases. 

The article particularly notes Cullors’ reported purchase of a $1.4m (£1m) home in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, a predominantly white area that is close to one of the homes that involved the Manson murders. 

It accused BLM of ‘carrying on Manson’s work’ in ‘starting a race war’. 

The Golden Globes has fallen under scrutiny this year in regards to the lack of inclusion and representation across their HFPA members. 

Days before this year’s awards took place, it emerged that there isn’t a single Black person in their organisation out of 87 members. The HFPA later issued a statement pledging to improve the diversity. 

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