Remember a few years ago when the world lost its ever-loving mind because a black woman was cast to play Ariel in the Disney live action remake of “The Little Mermaid?”
My only concern about the casting is that they may be afraid to have Snape be enough of an asshole to be true to the books. If they tone him down enough to not risk being called racist, he won't be Snape. Here's hoping they're braver than I fear.
Very fresh! I feel like you’ve given voice to a messy mess of some frustrating truths as far as how to navigate the ever more polarizing social waters. And in the case of Snape, I think you’re 100% right that his character is the most important thing. I feel like sometimes the black washing can take on political overtones, but I could totally see it not being that in this case. I just hope they don’t import the LGBTQxyz agenda into Hogwarts… which might be too much to hope for.
This is an important discussion, and needs more attention. Thank you for helping clarify my thoughts on these issues that I haven't given enough thought to. And where on earth do these theo bros come from? I hear none of this blather in my conservative Lutheran circles.
This is GREAT!!! I don’t think I’m even halfway thru and I’ve snort/laughed out loud 3 times already! And, totally agree, the “blackwashing” accusations are being overdone (although I can’t help thinking it’s a stupid way to virtue signal, while avoiding anything remotely creative).
Great work here, Kaley! It’s interesting to me that many of the same people who insist that "everything is about race," and "race doesn't matter" are the first to pitch a fit over raceswapping. They'll even brush off the whitewashing of the past as normal.
In any event, my rule of thumb is similar to yours, I think. Does it make sense for the story? I see no reason to not have a black Snape, assuming the character is done well, and the look isn't too radically different. The dust up over Ariel was silly, and distracted from the real concerns with the film. I do recognize that when doing works that assert themselves as historical works, it has to make sense historically. Denzel as Edward Longshanks would raise questions, as much as Anthony Hopkins doing Mandela, although I'm dead serious when I say both could be done.
At the end of the day, the people who complain the loudest about race-swapping can be more race-obsessed than the wokest BLM member, and a lot of people who say we talk too much about race simply want the old hierarchies preserved, with white people at the top.
I so appreciate your thoughtful, well written articles Kaeley. Growing up in the late 50’s and watching the events of the 60’s unfold in this country there was such a mix of hope and despair. Now it seems all we do in today’s society is react. It’s very discouraging. That’s why I enjoy how you dissect issues and look at all angles. I often find myself looking back and wondering, how did we get here, have we not learned anything?
I understand your comments. I'd like the best people to play the roles as well. Part of the problem is that it only goes one way. Can you name historically black roles that have been swapped for an amazing white actor to play?
Little mermaid can be black, it's just weird to have a super white red head be different when you are pretending to just tell the same story but with real people.
Snape is kind of a separate case. The Snape of the books & the original movies was an ugly man, with greasy black hair. Most importantly, he was the potential villian until it was revealed late in the series what he was really doing. My guess is that if we didn't know he was on the good side, people would be yelling about how black actors are always cast as the villians.
Overall, I don't care much, except in cases of actual historic people.
I wonder if some of it is backlash against Rollins? Keeping the story line but writing out the author.
I HATED the books, but for purely personal literary reasons; I was thoroughly bored by the movies. It will be interesting to see how using non-British actors changes the story, as much of the plot is relevant to England and Scotland, including dialect, geography, and cuisine.
I'm curious, but not at all bothered by the choices.
I didn't like the new Little Mermaid because the music was the best part of the animated, and it felt forgotten, to me. The CGI was gorgeous, and I was a fan of the prince. Oh, and the way you King Triton's daughters were geographical.
Sebastian got a lousy short straw! They did ruin him, bless his heart 😂
Then again, I would have enjoyed Idris Elba as James Bond…but I find it strange to have a black Norse pantheon god in the Marvel Thor series. It doesn’t offend me, but it is distracting.
Black Ann Boleyn and black Alexander Hamilton are jarring, until one realizes they are the directors’ conceits…. and even then, they seem forced. So would a white Idi Amin.
It’s all about context. In some (maybe most) contexts, race really does not matter. In some others, it can be a mild distraction. And in some, it can damage suspension of disbelief.
My only concern about the casting is that they may be afraid to have Snape be enough of an asshole to be true to the books. If they tone him down enough to not risk being called racist, he won't be Snape. Here's hoping they're braver than I fear.
Very fresh! I feel like you’ve given voice to a messy mess of some frustrating truths as far as how to navigate the ever more polarizing social waters. And in the case of Snape, I think you’re 100% right that his character is the most important thing. I feel like sometimes the black washing can take on political overtones, but I could totally see it not being that in this case. I just hope they don’t import the LGBTQxyz agenda into Hogwarts… which might be too much to hope for.
You misspelled the "alphabet" entity. It is LGBTQWTF.
I'm pretty sure that's going to be a given, especially in light of Rollins and her recent politics.
So thoughtful, well-stated, balanced, and sane. Thank you ❤️
Another great article! You can always be counted on for insightful commentary.
This is an important discussion, and needs more attention. Thank you for helping clarify my thoughts on these issues that I haven't given enough thought to. And where on earth do these theo bros come from? I hear none of this blather in my conservative Lutheran circles.
This is GREAT!!! I don’t think I’m even halfway thru and I’ve snort/laughed out loud 3 times already! And, totally agree, the “blackwashing” accusations are being overdone (although I can’t help thinking it’s a stupid way to virtue signal, while avoiding anything remotely creative).
Great work here, Kaley! It’s interesting to me that many of the same people who insist that "everything is about race," and "race doesn't matter" are the first to pitch a fit over raceswapping. They'll even brush off the whitewashing of the past as normal.
In any event, my rule of thumb is similar to yours, I think. Does it make sense for the story? I see no reason to not have a black Snape, assuming the character is done well, and the look isn't too radically different. The dust up over Ariel was silly, and distracted from the real concerns with the film. I do recognize that when doing works that assert themselves as historical works, it has to make sense historically. Denzel as Edward Longshanks would raise questions, as much as Anthony Hopkins doing Mandela, although I'm dead serious when I say both could be done.
At the end of the day, the people who complain the loudest about race-swapping can be more race-obsessed than the wokest BLM member, and a lot of people who say we talk too much about race simply want the old hierarchies preserved, with white people at the top.
I so appreciate your thoughtful, well written articles Kaeley. Growing up in the late 50’s and watching the events of the 60’s unfold in this country there was such a mix of hope and despair. Now it seems all we do in today’s society is react. It’s very discouraging. That’s why I enjoy how you dissect issues and look at all angles. I often find myself looking back and wondering, how did we get here, have we not learned anything?
I understand your comments. I'd like the best people to play the roles as well. Part of the problem is that it only goes one way. Can you name historically black roles that have been swapped for an amazing white actor to play?
Little mermaid can be black, it's just weird to have a super white red head be different when you are pretending to just tell the same story but with real people.
Snape is kind of a separate case. The Snape of the books & the original movies was an ugly man, with greasy black hair. Most importantly, he was the potential villian until it was revealed late in the series what he was really doing. My guess is that if we didn't know he was on the good side, people would be yelling about how black actors are always cast as the villians.
Overall, I don't care much, except in cases of actual historic people.
Well for one thing all the comparisons to a bat take on an uncomfortable new meaning…
I wonder if some of it is backlash against Rollins? Keeping the story line but writing out the author.
I HATED the books, but for purely personal literary reasons; I was thoroughly bored by the movies. It will be interesting to see how using non-British actors changes the story, as much of the plot is relevant to England and Scotland, including dialect, geography, and cuisine.
I'm curious, but not at all bothered by the choices.
I didn't like the new Little Mermaid because the music was the best part of the animated, and it felt forgotten, to me. The CGI was gorgeous, and I was a fan of the prince. Oh, and the way you King Triton's daughters were geographical.
Sebastian got a lousy short straw! They did ruin him, bless his heart 😂
I agree.
Then again, I would have enjoyed Idris Elba as James Bond…but I find it strange to have a black Norse pantheon god in the Marvel Thor series. It doesn’t offend me, but it is distracting.
Black Ann Boleyn and black Alexander Hamilton are jarring, until one realizes they are the directors’ conceits…. and even then, they seem forced. So would a white Idi Amin.
It’s all about context. In some (maybe most) contexts, race really does not matter. In some others, it can be a mild distraction. And in some, it can damage suspension of disbelief.
Exactly.
Way to navigate all of it! So smart. Keep it up! We need sanity.