Why Isn't It Considered Racist

[lankeela]

when news stories point out that people are black or people of colour - twice this week stories have centred on someone's ethnicity. The woman who trekked to the South Pole was the 'first woman of colour' to do so and now Sidney Poitier is being hailed as the first black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor. Surely that is being racist by pointing it out?

[Zacs-Master]

Sorry but I don’t consider it unimportant for a white actor to play a white fictional character.

[New Judge]

//People have been trekking to the South Pole for over 100 years, so how come it's taken this long for a woman of colour to do so? Perhaps because there were barriers,...//

Or perhaps none of them could be bothered.

[Mozz71]

//Sorry but I don’t consider it unimportant for a white actor to play a white fictional character.//

We'll have to agree to disagree then. I'd rather have someone physically different who encapsulates the spirit of the character than someone similar looking playing a completely unrecognizable version.

[naomi24]

//I'd rather have someone physically different who encapsulates the spirit of the character than someone similar looking playing a completely unrecognizable version. //

That muddies the discussion. Realistic representation is the issue - not an actor's ability to play the part.

[ichkeria]

Would it be racist to pass comment on white members of say the Harlem Globetrotters (their first white player was their (short) white Jewish founder, tho he was only in as a sub :-)
The Harlem Globe Trotters are a predominantly black team, and have had three white players on their team.
In a milieu where there’s a predominating of one colour or race then something that breaks the “mould” is worthy of highlighting, I’d say the lady at the South Pole is more a trivia item but she’s a “first” so worthy of mention.
Nothing to do with racism.
I once wrote a sports article where I referenced some “West Indian” spectators a propos of absolutely nothing and while I’d draw the line at branding it “racist” I can see why some were offended (they were black but I had no idea where they were from really)

[ichkeria]

“ Realistic representation is the issue - not an actor's ability to play the part.”

Hmm I think that’s contentious to say the least ;-)
A black person who has never acted the part of Othello?
Surely not :-)

[ichkeria]

“A black person who has never acted ‘taking’ the part”
I meant

And you only have white actors …

[naomi24]

I have no idea what you're talking about, ich. What do people who have never acted have to do with this?

[mushroom25]

should Stephen Merchant have been disqualified from playing Stephen Port in "Four Lives" because
a) he's not gay?
b) he's not a serial killer?

[naomi24]

That's a very silly question, mushroom. Acting is all about portraying someone else.

[ichkeria]

“ not an actor's ability to play the part.”

you claim, so I am taking an admittedly extreme example to underline the weakness of your assertion that acting ability comes second to appearance
Plainly they may be the case for some non serious parts but hardly as a rule

[Mozz71]

//That muddies the discussion. Realistic representation is the issue - not an actor's ability to play the part.//

Again, I disagree. We are after all, talking about actors. Ability to play the role is more important than physical similarity. An actor should be chosen on suitability to portray the role. Not discounted because he is the wrong colour (that works both ways). The only time race is a necessary factor is when they are portraying a character whose race is an important part of their character. With Bond, it really isn't.

[ichkeria]

I do love the bit in “No Time To Die” where “007” turns out to be a black female!

[naomi24]

ich, //Realistic representation is the issue - not an actor's ability to play the part. //

Which bit of that did you really not understand? Any good actor can learn lines and take direction - but if they don't meet the required physical criteria they can't play specific parts realistically.

[royfromaus]

Why not just kill off James Bond and have 008...sorted.

[ichkeria]

I understood you perfectly
But that par for the course for you I’m afraid: make a sweeping generalisation and then backtrack accusing everyone else of not understanding :-)

[naomi24]

I haven't back-tracked.

[Mozz71]

//Why not just kill off James Bond and have 008...sorted.//

Or run with the idea that "James Bond" is just a code name for whichever agent has the 007 designation.

[Ellipsis]

You don't have to kill off Bond to have 008. There already is a 008.

Let's have more about the other double oh superheroes. We don't hear enough about them. Let's have a Bond Universe ...

[royfromaus]

mushroom25
should Stephen Merchant have been disqualified from playing Stephen Port in "Four Lives" because
a) he's not gay?
b) he's not a serial killer?
__________________

No but he should be disqualified from playing Huggy Bear or Shaft