What is White Washing in Films?
Despite the greatest efforts of many filmmakers, producers and directors alike, to make the film industry an inclusive niche for all, whitewashing does still frequently occur in film. Although regrettably for many, whitewashing continues to be an issue that takes place on some film sets and in some areas of the country, what is white washing in films?
If you’ve never heard the term whitewashing, you may not initially realize the reference that is being made. However, it would be inaccurate to state that white washing does not still occur, even in the year 2021.
Now more than ever, we are seeing division between our people, and on some sets, whitewashing continues to take pace. But how?
What is White Washing in Films?
Whitewashing takes place when a film’s producers actively seek and cast white actors for roles. That were originally intended to have been taken on by an individual of color. You might wonder, how would a character be meant to have been an individual of color?
This happens when the script clearly defines a character’s race, ethnicity. Or underlying cultural attributes that would give way to a particularly defined race.
A Negative Impact on the Industry
Not only does whitewashing eliminate roles that are intended to be fulfilled by nonwhite actors. It also creates distinct negative consequences within the film industry. Especially in relation to those who are viewing the films.
There is a phenomenon that essentially represents the premise that as more white actors are cast for nonwhite, minority roles, producers are creating a notion that white actors are the “better” choice.
And this only further adds to the struggle within the industry to reverse the impact of whitewashing.
Why Does Whitewashing Occur in Films?
Why would a producer specifically seek white actors to carry out the role of a, clearly defined, character of color?
The attempt to whitewash a film generally takes place. As a direct result of the perceived notion by the producer. That audiences would prefer to watch the film if the character were portrayed by a white actor rather than someone of color.
In fact, whitewashing essentially states that whiteness is the preferred standard. Albeit, a statement that is not only untrue. But which could pose significant risks for those audiences that are consuming the media.
Whitewashing seeks to eliminate the diversity that America has worked so hard to fight for. And for such a thing to take place in the Hollywood film industry, in 2021, is just not acceptable, healthy, or good for our society.
A Dilemma Across Minorities
The film industry plays a major role in the lives of Americans throughout the United States, and the continued presence of purely unethical discrimination against those of color creates a complex problem for the industry and mustn’t be overlooked.
Whitewashing is not only represented by the casting of white actors to take on roles that were meant for African Americans.
Guy Aoki once stated that African Americans have long felt the full brunt of whitewashing of roles and that Asians have experienced it as well. This also goes for Native Americans and other minorities.
Past Films in Which White Washing Has Occurred
Whitewashing is not a new phenomenon at all. Unfortunately, this segregation and definitive divide between white people and people of color has long been a problem.
Dating back to the early 1900s, whitewashing has been a problem in the film industry. Even long after movements toward desegregation and racial equality began to shape our Nation.
Past instances of whitewashing in films include:
- The casting of Douglas Fairbanks to play an Arabian man in The Thief of Baghdad in 1924.
- Casting of Mickey Rooney to play a Japanese man in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
- The casting of Scarlett Johansson to play an Asian character in Ghost in the Shell in 2017.
- Casting of four white actors for lead roles in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Recent reports show that diversity continues to be a struggle in the film industry, with whitewashing representing one of several ways that cultural diversity continues to be overlooked and underrepresented.
A 2013 study found that only 16.7% of lead roles in 174 films that were reviewed belonged to minority actors. Whitewashing in films is clearly a problem, but few solutions have yet to be found in the representation of fairness, equality, and inclusion of minorities by those responsible.