Yesterday I had a conversation with my boyfriend,who's a black man, I'm mentioning his ethnicity because it's very relevant to the subject that I will speak of. He's a black american, who comes from a country known for its long history of prejudice and racism against black people and other "non-white people", while I find myself in a twillight zone living in Sweden. So he mentioned to me that he feels movies are generally dominated by euro-american, euro-australian actors and occasionally have a black, asian or latin american character in the story that rarely plays an important role in the plot. He then continued saying that people will indeed watch a mixed cast in movies and Tv, such as one of my fav series "Boston Public" had done in the early 00's. I don't agree with that argument all the way, because in the REAL world movies and tv only portray a small percentage of the world which is mostly white people. Remember, european/white people represent 20 % of the human population and that makes european/white people a minority. With that said, we all know that Tv productions and movies are mainly made by white people and so therefore it's very understandable that Hollywood has a more narrow view of the world.
My boyfriend mentioned Boston Public, which was a show about a school and it's very important to know that Asian, Blacks, latin american people mostly work in law enforcement in the USA (Law & Order, New York Undercover, CSI Miami, Training Day) or in education and health care (Boston Public, Freedom Writers, E.R, GRAY'S ANATOMY) and because of this we see more mixed casts in movies and tv-shows that deal with those subjects. Of course I can only speak about it from my own perspective, basing it on what I see in my world, which is a middle class household in a mostly white area. Needless to say there might be around 10 households in my part of town, that are either mixed families or high educated immigrants. So by saying that, my world does indeed look very white and that's also how alot of white people see their world.
In the real world a person like my mother, who was one of the first immigrant women at a position of a CEO in my hometown, which I might add is a very rare position for women of non-white background, I can understand Hollywood. She is indeed one of the "different looking" women at those kind of meetings, just like Hollywood more often portrays. Her staff on the other hand is of course very mixed both culturally and ethnically. So what exactly am I saying? Well that the movies portray the reality of our world seen through european eyes. If we want to see a mixed cast, let us watch movies about education, law enforcement or health care because the reality is that, there isnt alot of color in the world of european/Hollywood movies. I would rather see a movie with a mixed cast like in theatre, where the child is chinese, the mother sudanese and the grandmother white but question is if people would relate? Not really. So therefore it's our duty to make colors part of society, through education, work and friends who look different so we can see more diverse movies and be part of european/anglo-american society, but until then, we have to be either content or don't watch movies at all.
Do you ever see a white person in East Asian or Indian(Bollywood) movies? Think about it and give me your answer.
/Miss X
There is a broader understanding in your text then I received from you before. I agree with you in these points addressing the factors belonging to those who are within the "Film Industry". Hollywood indeed has a narrow view of the world in many aspects and that has to be put in perspective. Movies are often portrayed in European eyes, because they are [Greater Majority] ones in business.
SvaraRaderaThe genius of theater; is that a mixed cast is mostly acceptable. A White mom, a black dad and a Chinese son can be played normally without broad questions of adoption. [It defeats the normal intentions] I would say however, looking for a mixed cast only within the bounds of Law Enforcement, education, and health care, is very limiting. Seeing how films such as this are not BANKING...And by "banking" this exceeds economic factors. Movies which deal with enforcement, education, law, etc are very rare. These are most often seen in day time television. At home, in the comfort of your regional channels. They're rarely turned into movies. When was the last recent time you have seen feature film productions which contain such themes? There is a difference between what is on local TV, and what is a feature film. So in looking at it this way, we can see there is diversity but only within local television. However I still feel; Romance, drama, action, and all of those similar themes need more of a mixed cast. Or should we just be willing to accept a "white" superman all the time? LOL. Accepting two falling in love being the same hard working white business man, falling for a rich or poor white girl?..etc.etc. I am only putting it on basic terms. I refuse to be comfortable with seeing roles be subjected to what we are use to. Which is why as you, I think we have to do our part in making this reality. I will still watch movies like this, but I always support movies that are not like this. We can't just erase and be content with movies because it doesn't subscribe totally to multiculturalism.
And to answer the latter question, of course we do not see that..haha. But that raises the next question: (Are Bollywood movies created out of a response that they are NOT within European movies because of their "Differences"/ etc, or are they created because they want their "own" regime?) I choose to believe both, I think the same are so; within "Urban Films". They are created to speak to those who follow a similar urban agenda that one can identify with. Movies like this are important in help of identification and relationship...if they can not find themselves within other spectrum's; what is wrong in creating a field in which you can? Until a change will come, we need more voices such as Zoe Salanda, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry, America Ferrera, Tome Hanks etc; these are some of the voices who have spoken out against some the directors and producers in film; in limiting their cast. Something can be done, and I think addressing it in a blog like this, is a beautiful start! Thank you Miss X! You do it all the time! Eye love you, and what U Do! You are genius! :)
Jester
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Jester.Paralyzing Le Absence Of (X)-pression!