Quick Summary: Racebending involves casting actors from underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds to play characters who were originally portrayed as white. It promotes diversity, challenges stereotypes, and provides opportunities for marginalized communities. Examples include Amandla Stenberg as Rue in "The Hunger Games," Zendaya as Mary Jane Watson in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," and the diverse casting in "Hamilton" and the "Star Trek" franchise. Racebending expands representation and offers a broader range of experiences and perspectives in media.
Racebending is a term used to describe the practice of altering the race or ethnicity of a character in film, television, literature, or other forms of media from their original portrayal. Unlike whitewashing, which involves casting white actors in non-white roles, racebending involves casting actors from underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds to play characters who were originally conceived as white. The aim of racebending is to promote diversity, challenge racial stereotypes, and provide opportunities for actors from marginalized communities.
Here are a few examples of notable instances of racebending in popular media:
"The Hunger Games" (2012): In the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel, the character of Rue, originally described as having dark skin in the book, was portrayed by Amandla Stenberg, a black actress. This casting choice challenged the assumption that characters in dystopian fiction are default white and sparked discussions about representation.
"Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017): The character of Mary Jane Watson, traditionally depicted as a white redhead in the Spider-Man comics, was played by Zendaya, a biracial actress. This racebending decision aimed to diversify the character's portrayal and promote inclusivity.
"Hamilton" (2020): The critically acclaimed Broadway musical cast actors of various racial and ethnic backgrounds to portray the historical figures in the show, including Alexander Hamilton and other founding fathers. This intentional racebending added layers of diversity and representation, challenging the traditional narratives of historical events.
"Star Trek" franchise: The "Star Trek" series has a long history of racebending by casting actors from different racial backgrounds to play iconic roles. Notably, the character of Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, originally portrayed by George Takei, a Japanese-American actor, was played by John Cho, a Korean-American actor, in the rebooted film series.
These examples illustrate how racebending can be used to broaden representation, challenge racial stereotypes, and provide opportunities for actors from underrepresented communities. By reimagining characters' races or ethnicities, media creators can contribute to a more inclusive and diverse storytelling landscape, showcasing a broader range of experiences and perspectives.
Via: Teen Vogue
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