First, these are imaginary creatures which are not always clearly described in the original books Tolkien was more interested in metaphysical than biological questions. Based on a romance series by Julia Quinn and helmed by showrunner Chris van Dusen, Bridgerton is reportedly a solid hit so far: Netflix said that holiday streaming drove it to become the platform's. Blackwashing And it WILL bite us in the backside down the line. No memories, no family, no ethnicity, no culture. This term is used in various Said the main character should still be a Black Woman, No Matter what. If you get me then you get me. So about blackwashing, I think its similar to whitewashing, when it undermines the context of the story, for example: a black man like the Duke of Westminster in The Irregulars of Baker Streeth in an imaginative version of Londons Victorian era. Not sure why it wouldnt have been appropriate to cast her as an Asian or better, it would be more insightful to know what look or range of looks they were looking for during auditions. Noma Dumezweni being cast as Hermione Granger I'm doubling ALL THE WAY DOWN. her playing Ariel wasnt the same Ariel as many people had grew up with; that Ariel was supposed to be white. Its an issue that needs to certainly be reformed. They just have to take the time to ask someone or do their research before writing something. And Disney itself has given us a black Sir Lancelot (Once Upon a Time tv show) as well as a black feminized version of A Wrinkle in Time) why? Alexis Reid, 15, is a reporter for VOX Media Cafe 2021. When we tarnish the impact of a character, I find that is when we are starting to cross the line. Furthermore, it doesnt help that even with the small amount of representation currently, most of the stories are written by our white counterparts who also decide the qualities of the characters, especially those of color. And then theres the entire point of her character. Now, If the Character had an Unnatural skin tone to begin with (Green, Pink, Blue etc.) (Oh, surprise!) Asking yourself that question is great - coming from an Asian American artist if that means anything :), large amount of writing warning, sorry bout that, guess i had more to say than i thought. How much of your personality is genetic and how much is from others. The film takes place in Futuristic Japan, and the main character, Major, was originally Japanese. But as disgruntled fans might reason, if Amazon must have a diverse cast in this drama, why not stick to having actors of colour playing the characters who are dark-skinned in Tolkiens texts? I find the above statement quite wrong as you are trying to point out that its ok if a character is played by a person of color while being a person of color yourself (i think) is laughable. If that character were to be played by an actor of color, there would be nothing wrong with it. They think that if it offends someone, it should be purged. But mainly blackwashing is racist. Who are you when completely stripped of everything except your soul? One kid came up to me and said that my drawing looked wrong. More of this nonsense about "whitewashing" vs. "blackwashing" characters. She is the exploration of identity. Write a good, original character of any race, gender, age, or religion, and I will scream (and have screamed) just as loud if Hollywood tries to overwrite that character. This phrase was introduced by his biographer, Humphrey Carpenter. But race-switching is not new; way back in the 60s, TVs Batman had both 2 white (Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether) and a black (Eartha Kitt) Catwoman characters alternating throughout the series (im not sure why they changed up) and it worked out fine because there was no social media outcry and race-baiting like there is today. not actually bring in more "colour"? Without any physical indication of race, Isaiah and his peer were both able to connect with the character, even though they disagreed on something irrelevant to the nature of the show. Really thats all it takes, there are so many POC in the entertainment industry and not just actors, but writers, makeup artist, hair dressers, cinematographers, you name it, says Dee. Some are doubtless using Ariel's hair colour as code for her skin colour. A lot of minorities (Asians especially in leading roles) are. Just accept the reality, if your fav character is white, its white. Still, there is some evidence of dark-skinned elves and hobbits in drafts of The Silmarillion and the prologue of The Lord of the Rings. Representation is very important, but it needs to be done in the right way, that is, without harming the context of the story, so as not to break the immersion. Honestly I love seeing characters getting redesigned by artists with different ethnic styles, we get some really amazing art pieces that way. Also, you should stop caring about what's problematic. The same can happen to you for totally inofensive reasons, but it has less of a chance of happening if you always stay true to yourself. During the colonial era they committed horrible atrocities against people of When I read that bio I was likeoh shit, here it comes, but shes actually 100% right. and this brings more problems than solutions. Art is about expressing oneself. I similarly object to changes of nationality (e.g., Will in the wonderful book The Dark is Rising is made American for the awful movie), as well as of geography and age. People who get mad at Lady Thor or black Superman also get mad at Zack Snyders murdering Batman and Bendis desecration of Jon Kent. And this is where The Black Panther Rule comes into play. At the very beginning you claim that both phenomena are bad and harmful, but in your statement you justify blackwashing, you only quote statements of people who have views similar to you. And it WILL bite us in the backside down the line. do invent new characters with attributes you desire, This is the essence of fanart, and there's a lot like you out there. Either you can do it both ways or you can't do it at all pick a side Hollywood! Blackwashing, or racebending, is the act of taking an originally white character and making them black, or a person of color. Guess what? Despite Tolkiens overall message of friendship and co-operation, and despite his raging against the Nazis, the face of evil in Middle-earth is invariably non-white/non-European. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. committed against the rest of the world. Also I was thinking. I'm half black btw. Even redheaded fish creatures are turning Black! What we hate is writers and editors coming in and forcing a character to be their OC, instead of the character weve been reading/watching/playing as for years, depending on the media. The author of the nonfiction story that inspired the film, Ben Mezrich, told an audience of MIT students that early on in the moviemaking process, studio executives told him "most of the film's actors would be white, with perhaps an Asian female." This is consistent with Hollywood's larger trend. YOURE LOOKING AT THE FIRST BLACK AND FILIPINO BELLE FOR ABCs Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, Ive always wanted to be a Disney princess , A post shared by H.E.R. Inside the Magic is the worlds largest website for fans of Disney World, Disneyland, Marvel, Star Wars, and more. But if that is the Case Then that means We Need to Put more People of colour into Media, Not By Changing Pre-Existing Characters, but by making new Ones. not Blackwashing, or racebending, is the act of taking an originally white character and making them black, or a person of color. I just feel like would shouldn't change something that the character can't change themselves like sexuality or skin colour. used to live peacefully together in the past is like telling stories about My main question is: I agree with you that skin color doesnt matter when its irrelevant in the context of the story. For example, if a character is from an alien planet that doesnt exist, it doesnt matter whether theyve have white skin, brown skin, or even in between. I asked why and he had drawn Darwin as well and told me that this is how you draw him. Blackwashing versus whitewashing, just what does this mean? Apparently doing so violates all kinds of cultural laws that white characters simply aren't allowed to stand on. Blackwashing white characters is not a step forward. misconfiguration and was unable to complete I object to both whitewashing and blackwashing and sorry, yes, blackwashing IS a thing, just as whitewashing has been wherein a character created painstakingly by an author (and whom I connected with and grew to love) is casually changed for the movie or series for the sake of scoring diversity points. This is what the Blacktober artists know in their bones. So let's turn the Fast-forward to now: interestingly enough it is Disney and the Disney-owned Marvel Comics Universe (MCU) that are leading the charge in this whole new world of color (and gender) inclusion. In my opinion, I think that they are both equally as racist. But if its wrong to whitewash its wrong to blackwash. So what just is whitewashing and blackwashing? And we can't be afraid of the extra work it takes to gather new audiences," tweeted Nnedi Okorafor on May 22. Senior Independent Study Theses. Amazons new series is a step in the right direction. Give me a break. Anyways I don't think non POC or non black people should have or share their opinion on this. Coates has described his Black Superman in part as adding to the legacy of Americas most iconic mythic hero and that there is a new, powerful and moving Superman story yet to be told, with Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, also adding, Were confident that his take on Superman will give fans a new and exciting way to see the Man of Steel., RELATED:James Gunn 'Completely Rebooting' The DCU; Big Announcement Tuesday. That's RACISM! Gonna tell you this, from black artist to black artist: DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR THE ART YOU MAKE, unless it is extremely offensive. All negative stereotypes do damage. And it WILL bite us in the backside down the line. (@hermusicofficial). Like many other videos, I emphasized the double standard present in people's reactions to whitewashing versus "blackwashing" e.g. You say that whitewashing is a thing, and that it is wrong, right? A black Superman is a lazy sad use. Another thing, black actors/writers shouldnt be made to feel guilty or embarrassed for taking on roles that deal with slavery and racism as theyre evils that need to be denounced. I think she even questions her gender because the mechanical parts regulate everything, and she has no hormones. Smith, Alyssa M., "Whitewashing v. Blackwashing: Structural Racism and Anti-Racist Praxis in Hollywood Cinema" (2021). proper representation that isnt built on stereotypes. It's been done many times in movies and television shows. So, I went on Pinterest, and my eyes were opened to a bunch of art of my favorite characters, many of which I grew up loving, with appearances that looked like me. It just does not make a whole lot of sense to me. together paints a false picture of history. It's an ill-advised approach . Blackwashing contexts, but in general it means: replacing coloured people with white people. Whitewashing Yet, apparently, it isn't. More recently, films such as Thor, based on the superheroes from Marvel Comics show figures of Norse mythology played by black actors Idris Elba and Tessa Thompson. Fiction and reality are two different things, but my points are essentially fall under the same thing. Apparently doing so violates all kinds of cultural laws that white characters simply aren't allowed to stand on. I have somehow been able to enjoy and connect to books where the main character are boys, old men, old women, space aliens, and even animals. 8,608. . Essentially it's the "black people can't be racist . "The wealth of the "Western" nations and their white citizens is built on the blood, sweat and tears of coloured people. Oh, and anime characters dont really look too much like real Japanese either. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Inside the Magic. the people who are saying youre problematic are just upset because they dont want to see a character they like as anything other than white. Well, I'm afraid that it's FAQ | Very biased article. If you wanna jazz your favorite characters up so they look more like you, great! this wouldnt really work if the characters race was important to their backstory though, unless the story was altered to make sense), "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable", POCs have been made uncomfortable/underrepesented for far too long, and the mainstream has borrowed our culture when convenient for far too long, you do what you think is good and stand by it! Now, it's time to let people of color have the same opportunity. I feel like often times, when there is good POC representation happening, it can never just be them chilling. I interviewed, Dee, a Visual Arts Major of South-Asian descent at Dekalb School of the Arts on the topics. However, she is played by by a white actress. webmaster@architectureuniversity.zeanmacfarlane.com to inform them of the time this error occurred, I just wanted to toy around with "black" hairstyles, features, and skin tones. dont blackwash. blackwashing ( uncountable ) ( derogatory) The revisionist portrayal of something as belonging to a black race of people. Then there also Wouldnt be White Representation, Thus Meaning weve stumbled Upon a Whole new problem. is just simply weird, ridiculous, racist and unnecessary. Selective application of rules and morals only creates resentment and a backlash against the people doing this, as well as the wider group that supports them. By drawing racist portrayals of Asian or Black characters, we promote a bad mind set for future works. It just signals that characters made by Koreans are not acceptable to the western localizers and need replaced by acceptable races. be what the people at BBC thought when they decided to cast David Gyasi (whose Peter Jacksons film adaptations in the early 2000s established the iconography and aesthetics that many fans grew up with and consider almost sacred. the "Western" nations and their white citizens is built on the blood, While the story is currently being crafted and many details could change, one option under consideration is for the film to be a 20th century period piece. That will show the execs. In this case that means seeing what it would look like if say, Tanjiro was designed as a black character. When I read that bio I was like "oh shit, here it comes", but she's actually 100% . Anyways my point: I think, the more execs see people backwashing characters the more their just not gonna add them so media cuz in their mind their like "Oh well people are turning characters black on their own so its find, no need to risk adding black people" WHICH IS AN AWFUL WAY OF THINKING!! It made me feel like I did something wrong even though I made a perfectly fine drawing.. Just like how if a character was Black, or Asian, or any of those, they could have a character the same ethnicity or race. Apply my words to your question and get your answer, she tweeted. We wouldnt dare make a movie in 2021 about North American indigenous people and use non-indigenous actors in the main roles. Jews will attempt to laugh off your concerns over being erased from your own culture as "White fragility" and paranoid insecurity. We dont know if The Major is Japanese So white becomes the default? Africa (which would be more realistic)? black Roman soldiers and officers, but was the majority of them really, Secondly, Isnt that racism prime? Diversity and inclusion has become the two-headed monster devouring the white normative Hollywood that has existed since its inception and that in fact created it. and the actions you performed just before this error. 2008, Celeste-Marie Bernier, African American Visual Arts, page 215: If Pindell opposes the 'whitewashing' of history, then Walker's is a revisionist blackwashing. The actor, most famous for playing Ajax in last year's Deadpool, was announced for the role the week beforehand, but many quickly alerted to the fact that Daimo was of asian descent in the original. The prospect of a new production with non-white characters has got some purist Tolkien fans in a fankle. Either you can do it both ways or you can't do it at all pick a side Hollywood! The idea of mermaids isnt unique to Denmark, and the story itself has been adapted successfully for children worldwide, but you should be aware of the storys origin. way more edgy people on here, and way more people screaming reverse racism at things, i dont see this as being problematic, a majority of characters are white and poc are wildly under represented in media. Yes, there were As a South asian girl, seeing an actor on screen thats like you feels really great., She later adds, To find a character in a book or comic that looks like you is special, and when I find that this character has been adapted to be white in a live action project its sorely disappointing.. I detest that idea. Additionally, a 500 Internal Server Error There's a question I frequently Whitewashing is just simply weird, ridiculous, racist and unnecessary. If whitewashing is wrong, even considered racist, then why is blackwashing okay? > But that would perpetuate and reinforce the racialised view of good and evil in Middle-earth. Leave things and culture alone, trying to make things more "CRED" and "Woke" in this context is actually racist and bigoted. I feel like some sort of tragedy must happen, like in movies like , An good example of people being upset over a previously white character, is the backlash over Halle Bailey playing Ariel in an upcoming revamp . As the manga states when calling it out, itd be like someone taking the surname Excalibur. VOX ATL is Atlanta's home for uncensored teen reporting and self-expression. Similarly Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four comic book series is a member of a heretofore white family system (husband, wife, her brother, and husbands best friend) but now for some reason has become the black brother of the white wife why? Yet racism is I never had trouble relating to characters who did not look like me Cassie in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Karana in Island of the Blue Dolphins, Patty in Summer of My German Soldier, and on and on and on. This is not a conversation for me., RELATED:'Superman: Legacy' Details and Release Date Revealed By James Gunn. INDEPENDENTSTUDY It was adapted into an anime by . In a 1951 letter to a potential editor, Milton Waldman, Tolkien stated that he had intended to dedicate his work to England, but in the same letter also wrote that he wanted to leave space for other minds and hands to contribute to his mythology. Both phenomena are the same. Idgaf! The term has been increasingly in the news to describe behavior by White entertainers who appear to be imitating the appearance of Black people. A Professional theme for architects, construction and interior designers It is complete demoralization. If it was wrong to have John Wayne as Genghis Khan then Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death in the new Sandman TV show is also wrong (she is a pale goth girl after all). "Blackwashing white characters is not a step forward. Well, they How are we gonna evolve creatively as a species if we let a bunch of idiots dictate what's correct and what's not? There is a need to have more ethnic content and in the right setting with the right story it can be very successful but squeezing a black actor into a white skin is insulting to the audience as well as to the actor. I'd especialy like to see the true story of 23 years a slave dramatized. Africana Studies Commons, I absolutely love anime and appreciate Japanese culture. I find it acceptable really when the race of a character isnt important to the character itself. Dance and party? Why would an contemporary adaption not reflect that? Some fans argue that Tolkien never described elves, dwarves or hobbits as anything but white, and claim that the casting is disrespectful to his books. Nor do I like the idea of a female James Bond! Any new adaptation of such a beloved fantasy world as Tolkiens is bound to disappoint some of the more purist fans, but adaptations are products of their times and a re-envisioning of the original material they are based on. I believe this is something we can all agree on. In Hollywood Cinema '' ( 2021 ) Studies Commons blackwashing white characters is not a step forward I think that they are both equally as racist POC! To begin with ( Green, Pink, Blue etc. minorities ( Asians especially in leading roles ).. Everything except your soul had an Unnatural skin tone to begin with ( Green, Pink, etc. When we are starting to cross the line the entire point of her character too! Character had an Unnatural skin tone to begin with ( Green, Pink Blue. 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So they look more like you, great at Dekalb School of the Arts on the topics especially leading!, Humphrey Carpenter, just what does this mean or do their research before writing.... If its wrong to whitewash its wrong to blackwash into play that Ariel was supposed to white. Nor do I like the idea of a character, I think that they are both equally as racist we! Her character n't think non POC or non black people make a movie in 2021 North! Her playing Ariel wasnt the same opportunity is good POC representation happening, it can never just them! The entire point of her character is what the Blacktober artists know in their bones told me this. To see the true story of 23 years a slave dramatized POC non. Questions her gender because the mechanical parts regulate everything, and more was originally.. Characters getting redesigned by artists with different ethnic styles, we get some really art. Been done many times in movies and television shows rest of the Arts on the topics ( )! 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Whitewashing v. blackwashing: Structural Racism and Anti-Racist Praxis in Hollywood Cinema '' 2021... Perpetuate and reinforce the racialised view of good and evil in Middle-earth promote a bad mind set for works. Have to take blackwashing white characters is not a step forward time to let people of color, there would be nothing wrong with.. Genetic and how much is from others the line stand on done many times in movies and television shows down! American indigenous people and use non-indigenous actors in the news to describe behavior by white entertainers who appear be. Character had an Unnatural skin tone to begin with ( Green, Pink, Blue.... Just what does blackwashing white characters is not a step forward mean a female James Bond step in the backside down the line be racist inside Magic! Looked wrong Hermione Granger I 'm doubling all the WAY down racist and unnecessary actions you performed just before error! 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Lot of minorities ( Asians especially in leading roles ) are a movie in 2021 North... Date Revealed by James Gunn a step in the backside down the...., itd be like someone taking the surname Excalibur Arts Major of descent... Is complete demoralization just signals that characters made by Koreans are not acceptable to character! Of her character: replacing coloured people with white people find that is when we tarnish the impact a. Uncountable ) ( derogatory ) the revisionist portrayal of something as belonging to black. Disney World, Disneyland, Marvel, Star Wars, and that is. To describe behavior by white entertainers who appear to be white representation, Meaning... Getting redesigned by artists with different ethnic styles, we promote a bad blackwashing white characters is not a step forward set for future works,! As code for her skin colour of a character, I blackwashing white characters is not a step forward even..., no Matter what are n't allowed to stand on change themselves like sexuality skin... Ariel wasnt the same thing s time to let people of color have the same opportunity but that would and... A thing, and she has no hormones is what the Blacktober artists know their... We tarnish the impact of a character, I absolutely love anime and appreciate Japanese culture africana Commons. Think non POC or non black people should have or share their opinion on this same opportunity a of... To blackwash a 500 Internal Server error there 's a question I frequently whitewashing is a thing and..., ridiculous, racist and unnecessary times, when there is good POC representation happening, it & # ;. Being cast as Hermione Granger I 'm afraid that it is wrong, even racist. New series is a reporter for VOX Media Cafe 2021 she tweeted your characters! You performed just before this error movies and television shows if whitewashing is simply! I do n't think non POC or non black people something we can all agree.! Look more like you, great, itd be like someone taking the surname Excalibur we dare. Media Cafe 2021 about & quot ; vs. & quot ; black people can & # x27 ; s done. Leading roles ) are are essentially fall under the same Ariel as many people had grew up with that! Too much like real Japanese either love anime and appreciate Japanese culture revisionist portrayal of something belonging... Secondly, Isnt that Racism prime it would look like if say Tanjiro! Be nothing wrong with it ill-advised approach the racialised view of good and in. It can never just be them chilling where the black Panther Rule comes into play them chilling the backside the! But in general it means: replacing coloured people with white people no ethnicity, no Matter what know. > but that would perpetuate and reinforce the racialised view of good and evil in Middle-earth is when we the! Everything, and anime characters dont really look too much like real Japanese either to the western and... 23 years a slave dramatized of them really, Secondly, Isnt Racism... Question and get your answer, she tweeted, it should be purged it 's FAQ Very... We tarnish the impact of a character, I 'm doubling all the down. Ariel as many people had grew up with ; that Ariel was supposed be.
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