BY: Denver Sean
Published 9 years ago
We told you last week that Joseph Fiennes has been cast to play Michael Jackson in an upcoming 9/11 film — and most of us were in agreement that the casting choice was a little…odd.
Well, Stacey Dash thinks it’s perfect. In fact, she thinks it’s a win for diversity.
In her blog, she writes:
But I say, BRAVO! I’m sick and tired of being told “Sorry, Stacey, this is a Caucasian-only role.” Counterintuitively, this decision by Hollywood — which looks like a diss to blacks — is actually what we’ve been saying all along: roles should NOT be based on color.
Don’t believe me? What’s the hottest ticket on Broadway right now? Hamilton, the musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda based on the biography written on Alexander Hamilton’s life. The show, which pre-sold $10 Million worth of tickets, “uses mostly actors of color to play ‘old, dead white men.’” It’s a hip hop, rap battle version of American history… Thomas Jefferson is black. Alexander Hamilton is Puerto Rican. LOVE it.
I don’t care about the race of the actors portraying historical figures and I can’t wait to see Joseph’s portrayal of Jackson… It’ll be amazing as long as he plays him truthfully and authentically.
This decision throws that white-only card out the window. They can’t look at black actors and say, “Sorry this role is Caucasian-only.” Roles should not be dictated by race. There’s no reason why the lead roles in Homeland, Veep, or Penny Dreadfulhave to be white (my favorite shows by the way). I want to see more of this diversity and thinking outside of the box with the equality that this designation entails – this is the right track.
Yes, I’m asking for a lot. Yes, I’m going against the flow of traffic. Yes, I will receive hate over this.
Alright, Stacey.
