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For those leaning into the "just hire the most talented people!" argument, you may not be seeing the larger historical issue. Specific to the discussion around white actors voicing characters of color, there are many layers to this. THREAD.
Historically white actors have portrayed people of color dating back to how minstrel shows began (
), to the golden age of cinema's stereotyped characters (via John Wayne, Mickey Rooney, etc) to today's television (hi Tina!), film (Emma Stone), & animation (more later).
), to the golden age of cinema's stereotyped characters (via John Wayne, Mickey Rooney, etc) to today's television (hi Tina!), film (Emma Stone), & animation (more later).
Hollywood has an embarrassingly shameful past and harmful/lazy/WTF-are-you-thinking present "code of conduct" when it comes to on-screen and voiced characters of color. That code gives gatekeepers (execs, directors, financiers, casting directors, etc) cover & excuses. Including..
This: we couldn't find any actors of color and we had a date to hit. https://deadline.com/2020/06/acting-while-black-sag-aftra-panel-sterling-k-brown-yvette-nicole-brown-michelle-hurd-1202970585/
Or this: We couldn't get financing. https://www.indiewire.com/2014/11/ridley-scott-says-exodus-would-never-get-financed-starring-mohammad-so-and-so-from-such-and-such-269706/
Or this: it was an oversight (sheesh ya gotta be kidding me on this one) https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5689104
Or this: here's your reminder that The Green Book is trash. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/green-books-oscars-2019-controversy-whitewashing-peter-farrelly-director-a8784491.html
And now this: we didn't realize but hey now we do so let's just chalk it up to growth and syndication dollars, m'kay? (Narrator's voice: nope.) https://www.thedailybeast.com/tina-feys-problems-with-race-extend-far-beyond-30-rocks-blackface
We are now in the midst of a recent spate of white actors proclaiming that they will not voice characters of color anymore (after collecting that paycheck, residuals, accolades, more job offers, etc). https://uk.style.yahoo.com/white-actors-quit-voicing-black-201758560.html
But along with these proclamations comes the ensuing backlash. Ignoring the industry's ridiculous denial of culpability, the outcry from the fans is loud because the characters matter. They've imprinted upon them. So as a fan myself (Missy4Ever!) Please take a breath...
and realize that no one is saying that these actors are not talented. No one is saying don't hire them. No one is taking away their accolades for portraying characters that you love. And most of all, no one is taking these characters away. All we're saying is: Level the field.
This has ALWAYS been about leveling the executive & writing & directing & acting & voicing & crew fields. The "hire the best person" argument falls apart under scrutiny. Gatekeepers aren't hiring "the best" when the infamous list (I've tweeted about previously) is not INCLUSIVE.
If you want best, your pool needs to be wide and varied. If you want best, you need to go beyond your network of golf pals. If you want best, you need to scout schools that are not just your alma mater (GO #HOYAS). If you want best, that list needs to be long. Do the damn work!
Specific to animation (as that is the topic du jour), if the character is white, only white actors go on the list. But if the character is of color, actors of color AND white actors go on the list. That is not a level playing field. And before the "but what abouts" start flying..
Yes there have been exceptions. Awesome exceptions. And why is that? Because THE BEST PERSON (VOICE) got the job because that gatekeeper had a long list that supported his/her creative vision.
Hello James Earl Jones, Darth Vader & George Lucas.
Hello James Earl Jones, Darth Vader & George Lucas.
The loudest voices have dragged Mr. Jones into this debate and have not clued in that they are proving this point: for every 1 (ridiculously talented) Phil Lamarr who has voiced a multitude of characters, 30+ white actors can be named. Exceptions do not win an argument.
The question is simple: were other actors on the list for these roles that are under scrutiny? This is not about the incredible talents of Jenny Slate and Alison Brie. But about the lack of opportunity & consideration for other incredible talents of color.
This is not about quota hiring or whatever other accusation normally gets thrown around in these discussions. It's simply about leveling the playing field by expanding THE LISTS and letting the best talent shine. When THE LISTS have everyone on them, then this all becomes moot.
