STAFF WRITER – DANIEL MATHEU
ORIGINALLY PRINTED ON APRIL 6, 2023
Using performers from one racial group to play roles of a different race in movies, TV shows, and other forms of media is known as “race bending.” This practice has become more widespread as Hollywood pushes to increase diversity and representation in media. There are several reasons why racial bending is unnecessary and often even harmful, even though several people contend that it is an essential step toward greater representation.
One of the main justifications for race bending is that it permits more variety and representation on television. This argument is flawed because it ignores the underlying reason behind Hollywood’s lack of diversity. The issue isn’t that there aren’t enough roles for performers of other ethnicities; rather, it’s that they don’t have enough opportunities or representation in the profession. Hollywood should put more effort into developing characters and narratives that highlight the diversity of each culture and provide actors of all races opportunities and not the focus on race bending.
Race bending can also considered an erasing technique. In essence, the technique argues the challenges and experiences of a specific racial group are irrelevant; using performers form one ethnic group to portray characters of another. Hollywood has had a propensity to deny inclusion to many communities, including Black and indigenous communities, thereby preventing meaningful representation in the media. The erasure of these communities is especially destructive. The exclusion of the communities struggles and experiences only serves to perpetuate an unjust and unfair system.
Scarlett Johansson’s selection for the role of Major Motoko Kusanagi, in the live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell, is one of the most instances of racial bending in recent memory. The main character, who is supposed to be of Japanese origin, was portrayed by Johansson, a white actress. During the show’s airing, the practice of whitewashing and denying the experiences of Asian actors and actresses in casting drew in strong criticism and anger.
The choice of Tilda Swinton to play The Ancient One in Marvel’s Doctor Strange is another instance of racial bending. The Old One is portrayed as an anged Asian man in the original comic book, but Swinton, a white actress, played the part in the film adaptation. Some argue type of casting prevents the perpetuation of negative stereotypes of Asian characters; however, this still ignores the struggles and experiences of Asian actors and actresses. Race bending denies performers of color the chance to act in meaningful roles. Sophomore engineering management major Mariano Pardo says: “Race bending was introduced to achieve equality in Hollywood. However, I believe that it is indeed racist and changes the original story completely. I think we should avoid this kind of fight against inequality because there are better ways to achieve it.”
The opportunities accessible to actors of a given racial group are restricted when they are cast to play characters of a different race. When a white actor is cast to represent a character of Asian heritage, an Asian actor’s chance to portray that role and to display their talent is lost.
Racial bending is unnecessary and can be harmful, even though it appears to be a strategy to promote diversity and representation on television. Pardo also comments: “Race bending sends the wrong image, and doesn’t really suppport diversity.” Hollywood should put more effort into developing roles and tales that highlight a variety of cultures and provide performers of all races opportunities, as opposed to casting actors from one racial group to play characters of a different race. Doing this develops a media environment that accurately represents and reflects the experiences and challenges of all people..