Blackwashing gains momentum in Hollywood

The Black Lives Matter protests have forced Hollywood to confront how it represents blacks and other minority groups in its movies and TV shows. After years of complaints about Hollywood whitewashing stories by using mostly white actors, the tables have started to turn.
“Blackwashing” is casting black actors in roles that were previously white characters for revisionist adaptations. In some cases, a black cast replaces a white cast.
Personally, I support the practice. Color-blind casting and viewing stories through different cultures and races is good for art as well as business.
The practice of blackwashing is not new. Consider the musical “The Wiz,” an urban black reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz.”
A more recent example is the 2012 remake of “Steel Magnolias” starring Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad and Alfre Woodard.
Last week, Variety reported that black actors Will Smith and Kevin Hart will star in and produce a remake of the 1987 movie “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.”
Last month, the Hollywood Reporter said producer Lee Daniels is doing a reboot of the TV series “The Wonder Years” that will feature an all-black cast.
Elsewhere, the CW has cast black actress Javicia Leslie to replace white actress Ruby Rose as the title character in the TV series “Batwoman,” Variety reported.
Also, black actress Halle Bailey will star in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.”
More to come, I’m sure.

Related articles:

Color-blind casting (Wikipedia)

Photo: Actress Javicia Leslie (Javicia Leslie)