Diversity on Broadway — Page 21

Thanks for your message Jane. I've tried to understand the people who see race first, then the person too, but their visions still stay twisted.

I think I know what it comes down to though. Look at my previous post. Would you choose 1 or 2 and why? Please answer that one for me.

What is more important? Having more black actors working in any roles, including make up, just like anyone else? Or to turn as much "roles" black as possible? To me, it is not about the roles or how many turn black, but about the amount working people. This is basically progress versus racism.

Too many people in this tread are focused too much on color of roles instead of people. The color you play is of no importance, the work you get as a person of any color is.

Charley Kringas Inc said: "The Matilda tour actually has a Filipino Matilda in the form of Gabby Gutierrez, and (obviously) it wasn't weird at all.

"

Nice to know. thanks for the info! and thanks for reminding me about that fact, Dramamama611 , it completely slipped my mind, though somehow I remember that Matthew Koon was Billy Elliot in the West End production a few years ago lol

No, I actually truly believe that any form of separation in treatment based on race is wrong.

I am wondering, did people hyperventilate when Linda Larkin, a blonde caucasian woman voiced princess Jasmine? Would people hyperventilate when Linda Larkin would have voiced princess Tiana?

"Yes, but black people have had it bad in history" is no excuse. We have a black president and many grammy award winning completely accepted and respected vocal artists nowadays. Also, bad history does not have anything to do with a voice actor in a film, because you don't even see the person.

We should treat all people the same. If your answer on question 2 is actually "yes", you are kind of person that decides to treat black people not as normal people.

Positive discrimination is just as bad as negative discrimination. If you don't understand that, I wish you strength in life.

Updated On: 10/30/15 at 07:44 PM

Complete acceptance is not about hiring a black actor whenever you can. It's about hiring the best actor and that will not always be a black actor, but not minding that because everyone is equal.

Until you understand that, it's not the end. If you do; Good. The beginning of equality.

The End.

Updated On: 10/30/15 at 07:56 PM

I agree, not realizing the danger of "positive" racism is quite a looney tune.

That needs to stop. Not the discussion.

Updated On: 10/30/15 at 08:12 PM

It's a totally level playing field you know, Phyl. Nobody has to make an effort to recruit a diverse field of auditioners, because the cream always rises and talented black actors will always win parts because they are the best, even if casting people don't know any people of color, have never met any people of color, and have never considered a person of color for a given role. They WILL get that role, IF they are talented enough. Dontchya see how simple it is, Phyl?

What was the old expression about African-American folks -- that they had to be twice as good to get half as far? It is INDEED getting better, but we're not there yet. That Dr. Ben Carson (ugh) is popular in the Republican party shows that people are getting less prejudiced overall. On the other hand, there are lots of ignorant folks still out there. My Republican cousin supports Carson, but her mother doesn't because we've already had a black president! Hello, Archie Bunker.

The "best qualified" for anything is a subjective standard. I doubt most casting directors are like my relative. Nonetheless, casting directors, like others selecting folks for jobs, must guard against the human kneejerk reaction to measure who is "best" using themselves as the standard. I believe we are all instinctively prejudiced, and we have to recognize it and not let any bigotry in our subconscious minds rule our actions.

Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "White bitch, you cray!?"

What do you want me to say? Black bitch, you cray? Or do you treat black people differently than other people?

FindingNamo said: "Nobody has to make an effort to recruit a diverse field of auditioners, because the cream always rises and talented black actors will always win parts because they are the best, even if casting people don't know any people of color, have never met any people of color, and have never considered a person of color for a given role. They WILL get that role, IF they are talented enough. Dontchya see how simple it is, Phyl??"

Black people are president, black people dominate the music business, black people are in every recent film out there, black people attend castings all the time, black characters are Disney princesses, the percentage of black people winning mainstream awards is actually higher than the actual percentage of black people in the population. Black people play Valjean, Eponine, Fantine, Javert and Enjolras in les Mis. Black people play Phantom.

"casting people don't know any people of color, have never met any people of color"

You live in a mental institution? STOP being so racist. I'm glad all these (sometimes also black) casting directors don't think like you. They see people and actors, you see race.

"but we're not there yet"

Exactly. When are we there in your opinion? There can be 1000 black presidents, Disney Princesses or black actors dominating the music or film business. But that won't change anything. It will only change when people like you realize that black people should be treated like anyone else. That blacks can play italians too. That black people don't mind if a caucasian girl voices a black cartoon character. When people actually get over the race difference. Both ways. As long as you don't think that way, you are the problem.

Updated On: 10/31/15 at 06:38 AM

Arabs are discriminated quite badly in certain countries, but that is no reason that only they can voice princess Jasmine in Aladdin. A white and Asian girl doing the job is not racist, it's fine. It's work.

Gays are oppressed in a horrific way, even today, sentenced to death in certain countries. Of course that is no reason for them to be offended by the fact that the 2 leading parts in Broke back Mountain were portrayed by straight men.

Thousands and thousands of Jews were killed in gas-chambers by Hitler. Of course that is no reason to connect that to every jewish actor, role or personality nowadays.

As long as you don't play the victim part in real life.

Self esteem comes from other things.

I know it's hard when everyone teaches you that you are not worth as much as a normal white person and that you deserve special treatment, but let's at least try it.

Updated On: 10/31/15 at 08:22 AM

Exactly.

Especially for the gays, being sentenced to death in 2015 is quite something.

No reason to play the victim though.

But I agree, if people would say we are so pathetic that we need our own awards it would be harder to gain self esteem. Instead I embrace the mainstream world and work extra hard to conquer my place and I'm loving it! I also find that embracing straight actors playing gays, gay actors playing straight, all races playing all races and beyond kind of helps. With this attitude I make separation disappear. I noticed that since i have this attitude, other people treat me as a worthy person too and I get much more opportunities. It's kind of logical. These things work both ways.

Updated On: 10/31/15 at 08:36 AM

Well, good for you. I'm sure the founder of the gay-disabled-reel-awards organization feels worthy too, but then the question remains what is really ridiculous?

Updated On: 10/31/15 at 10:18 AM

Are you in primary school? Did your parents teach you this behaviour?

Don't listen to them, being black in 2015 means you can be the president of the United States, a Disney princess, an Oscar and Grammy winner, anything your heart desires. Making up some award of an iron begonia on a stick to show how different you are doesn't help.

In fact, it works against you. Passion, perseverance, talent and an open mind tend to work better. Show the world that you are mainstream. Then mainstream will come your way. It's all about attitute, getting what you give.

Updated On: 10/31/15 at 10:48 AM

Okay, so I did block Dave but I was logged out when I just read his comments.

I'm quite frankly even more disgusted that he is now comparing the struggles of minority vs minority. Especially considering he is comparing them to other countries that OF COURSE are having huge issues--countries that are fighting war and terrorist organizations...of course they're no way comparable

Anyway, "black people are president". You mean one black president who has been put through loads of crap for the past three years because he's black? You mean the president who has had threats against him BECAUSE he's black? The president who's "blackness" has been tried to be removed by those who don't want to admit he's black BECAUSE he's biracial???

Total equal playing field

I will say Disney is diversifying it's Disney princesses, though. And let's hope they get MORE diverse in upcoming years.

Also that whole "there is a larger percentage of black Oscar winner than their are in the entire US population" is incorrect, and I actually proved it in the other thread Dave19 started to poison, "Anyone Else Disgusted by Broadway.com,s Whitewashing"