“Is white the new black?” article published in the Vancouver alternative newspaper “The Georgia Straight”
My new article about “A Mighty Heart” fiasco “Is White The New Black?” was published in the Vancouver alternative newspaper “The Georgia Straight.” I am just glad I was able to get my thoughts across about my perspective on the issue.
As you already know from reading this blog another version of this article was published in the New Zealand Herald. I am very proud that my article was first published in New Zealand because the New Zealand Herald is a major newspaper in New Zealand its has the largest circulation in that country. Also a lot of Australians and other people from the South Pacific and Pacific Rim read the New Zealand Herald.
However, I am very pleased that I was able to bring my thoughts on “A Mighty Heart” to a Canadian audience. One of my fears was that people in Canada most likely don’t read the New Zealand Herald. I decided to try again and I was able to get an alternative version of the article published in Canada. I know the Georgia Straight is a very popular newspaper not just in Vancouver but also in British Columbia and Western Canada.
Here is the link to my new article “Is White The New Black?”
http://www.straight.com/article-96155/is-white-the-new-black
Gayblackcanada 
It sounds like Marianne Pearl was at least half white and at most a quarter black and very likely less. So, do you feel it would have been more accurate for a black actress to play the part and be put in “whiteface”?
People characterize Hollywood producers as having some vast conspiracy to oppress black people. That is completely false. They do whatever it takes to maximize their investments. If 70-80% of the target audience is white, they will probably not go out on a limb to take a chance and do something revolutionary. Job security, survival — even Hollywood execs have to keep that in mind and that equals maximum profitability.
Hollywood is a reflection of society at large. Not a direct reflection, obviously, or we would all be beautiful or handsome with 6 packs. But there is definitely a correlation because it is a business and it tries to fill a demand in the market, whatever that market may be.
Nw, I am cognizant of the fact Hollywood is business it doesn’t mean I should be silent and not challenge racism.
The point is Marianne Peal should of had enough sense to realize that casting an A list white actress in the lead role of course was incendiary.
I believe Pearl has issues with race about herself.
I feel a mixed race actress such as Thandie Newton or Jennifer Beals should of been the female lead in A Mighty Heart. The fact is, Marraine Pearl isn’t just white and Angelina Jolie is. It is insulting and racist for Hollywood to use makeup and make a white woman appear black and wear a kinky curly wig. The movie bombed anyway though.
I agree with you that Thandie Newton or Jennifer Beals would have been a better cast for the role, but I still disagree that the role was given to Angelina Jolie explicitly to oppress black people. If anything it would have been an effort to cater to the white audience who would be buying most of the tickets for the movie.
Granted, I think Hollywood does make mistakes and could (and should) cast more black actresses in roles like that and would see that the movies are still just as profitable. But again, any hesitation to do that is from fear of not maximizing profits, not fear of black people having a dominant role.
By your logic, Hollywood would never allow black actors like Denzel Washington and Will Smith to play such major roles. Also, by your logic, the fact that Will Smith played several roles that were originally white characters would be some racist Hollywood conspiracy against white people.
Nw you keep on mentioning profits and of course I am cognizant that Hollywood is a business and they care about making money.
However, the only reason Hollywood has allowed Smith & Washington power is because they have proven they can sell overseas.
The problem is you also fail the mention that Will Smith and Denzel Washington men are the only leading A list black men in Hollywood.
Also, Washington and Smith are black men there is a gender difference. Black women and mixed race women have always been treated differently by a racist and sexist Hollywood which devalues women of colour.