Strands #259 “Would You Look At...
Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
Stop Black Actors Leaving The Uk????????
92 Answers
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There are many white actors (or come to that many other people who happen to follow other employment), that have to leave these shores so as to further their careers, so why should black actors be any different?
There are many white actors (or come to that many other people who happen to follow other employment), that have to leave these shores so as to further their careers, so why should black actors be any different?
Answers
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jackthehat
/// I think you'll find that you were the first person to introduce the notion of black actors having chips on their shoulders. ///
The difference being, I asked "Couldn't possibly be" but it was you who answered my question with a definite answer "There's a very easy way to tell, apparently, AOG......if he's black, it'll be the chip".
So please don't try to pass the buck, after you have condemned yourself.
/// I think you'll find that you were the first person to introduce the notion of black actors having chips on their shoulders. ///
The difference being, I asked "Couldn't possibly be" but it was you who answered my question with a definite answer "There's a very easy way to tell, apparently, AOG......if he's black, it'll be the chip".
So please don't try to pass the buck, after you have condemned yourself.
jackthehat
/// My use of 'apparently' was ironic......and in direct answer to your comment about 'chips'. ///
Yes like I said, I wasn't sure about the chips, so you gave me a definite answer, stating."if he's black, it'll be the chip".
So I think that we can now put this on record and then put closure on this.
/// My use of 'apparently' was ironic......and in direct answer to your comment about 'chips'. ///
Yes like I said, I wasn't sure about the chips, so you gave me a definite answer, stating."if he's black, it'll be the chip".
So I think that we can now put this on record and then put closure on this.
Booldawg - "The world of performing arts is very competitive. I think blaming not getting roles on this, that and the other is just sour grapes. You can however, package those sour grapes with an erudite argument and make it appear to be fact."
I don't think this is sour grapes.
Mr Oyelowo is obviously a successful actor, so he is not complaining about a personal lack of opportunities, or roles for himself.
The point he raises is that, in the case of a role where any ethnicity of actor is suitable, then the white actor tends to get the part, because studios prefer white actors to appeal to their audiences.
It may be that he has a point, but he feels that the lack of opportunities for black actors in mainstream film and TV here is an issue that should be addressed.
I don't think this is sour grapes.
Mr Oyelowo is obviously a successful actor, so he is not complaining about a personal lack of opportunities, or roles for himself.
The point he raises is that, in the case of a role where any ethnicity of actor is suitable, then the white actor tends to get the part, because studios prefer white actors to appeal to their audiences.
It may be that he has a point, but he feels that the lack of opportunities for black actors in mainstream film and TV here is an issue that should be addressed.
-- answer removed --
divebuddy - "Black actors getting preferential treatment doesn't seem very fair. Why can't they take their chances like everybody else does in life."
Mr Oyelowo is not asking for preferential treatment for black actors, merely the same treatment that he perceives white actors are receiving - a fair crack at a role with everyone on equal terms, and not being disadvantaged by ethnicity.
Mr Oyelowo is not asking for preferential treatment for black actors, merely the same treatment that he perceives white actors are receiving - a fair crack at a role with everyone on equal terms, and not being disadvantaged by ethnicity.
andy-hughes
/// The point he raises is that, in the case of a role where any ethnicity of actor is suitable, then the white actor tends to get the part, because studios prefer white actors to appeal to their audiences. ///
And couldn't that be because this happens to be a prominently 'white' country, and wouldn't one also expect black actors to be more appealing to their audiences in mainly black populated countries?
/// The point he raises is that, in the case of a role where any ethnicity of actor is suitable, then the white actor tends to get the part, because studios prefer white actors to appeal to their audiences. ///
And couldn't that be because this happens to be a prominently 'white' country, and wouldn't one also expect black actors to be more appealing to their audiences in mainly black populated countries?
andy-hughes
/// Mr Oyelowo is not asking for preferential treatment for black actors, merely the same treatment that he perceives white actors are receiving - a fair crack at a role with everyone on equal terms, and not being disadvantaged by ethnicity. ///
And who says Black actors are being disadvantaged because of their ethnicity, apart from Mr Oyelowo and Lenny Henry that is?
/// Mr Oyelowo is not asking for preferential treatment for black actors, merely the same treatment that he perceives white actors are receiving - a fair crack at a role with everyone on equal terms, and not being disadvantaged by ethnicity. ///
And who says Black actors are being disadvantaged because of their ethnicity, apart from Mr Oyelowo and Lenny Henry that is?
-- answer removed --
I think that whenever someone raises the 'chip on their shoulder' argument, it's an indication that someone thinks the point being raised by a black person has no validity - it's a way that some people shut down any argument against their own views.
I think it should be avoided at all costs.
Regarding Mr Oyelowo's comments...whilst there seems to be a flood of English talent doing good work in the U.S., I think it's a good thing. Every time Idris, David, Chiwetel and Marianne do well, it opens the door for upcoming black English actors, making it easier for them to assume leading roles.
For instance, Idris playing the lead in Luther was no big deal, but it would have been 25 years ago.
Perhaps some people are uncomfortable with the growing number of fine black English faces on their TV screens.
Not sure why that would be.
I think it should be avoided at all costs.
Regarding Mr Oyelowo's comments...whilst there seems to be a flood of English talent doing good work in the U.S., I think it's a good thing. Every time Idris, David, Chiwetel and Marianne do well, it opens the door for upcoming black English actors, making it easier for them to assume leading roles.
For instance, Idris playing the lead in Luther was no big deal, but it would have been 25 years ago.
Perhaps some people are uncomfortable with the growing number of fine black English faces on their TV screens.
Not sure why that would be.
Seems to me that there just isn't enough work for the luvvies not matter what colour.
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AOG - "And couldn't that be because this happens to be a prominently 'white' country, and wouldn't one also expect black actors to be more appealing to their audiences in mainly black populated countries?"
A valid point, but that stance, which can be taken by some movers and shakers in the entertainment industry, is a thin end of a dangerous wedge.
How long before we are back to black actors only playing the hired help, and rolling their eyes and saying 'Yes massah ...'.
We must acknowledge diversity properly - and encourage tolerance of other ethnicities, and seeing black actors in mainstream roles would be a good step forward.
The UK TV soaps have embraced ethnic and disabled and homosexual characters for a while now, because it is a reflection of the world we live in.
I perceive that Mr Oyelowo is looking for an extention of that mind-set.
Not a wholesale takeover of all dramas by black actors, but something more of a balance of role allocation within television and film.
A valid point, but that stance, which can be taken by some movers and shakers in the entertainment industry, is a thin end of a dangerous wedge.
How long before we are back to black actors only playing the hired help, and rolling their eyes and saying 'Yes massah ...'.
We must acknowledge diversity properly - and encourage tolerance of other ethnicities, and seeing black actors in mainstream roles would be a good step forward.
The UK TV soaps have embraced ethnic and disabled and homosexual characters for a while now, because it is a reflection of the world we live in.
I perceive that Mr Oyelowo is looking for an extention of that mind-set.
Not a wholesale takeover of all dramas by black actors, but something more of a balance of role allocation within television and film.
-- answer removed --
AOG - "And who says Black actors are being disadvantaged because of their ethnicity, apart from Mr Oyelowo and Lenny Henry that is?"
And who else would know?
I have never experienced racial predjudice in the UK, why would I? I am a white male.
But I have experienced it in Spain thirty years ago, where British people were perceived as money-grabbing time-sharers.
How would you know the state of role availability for black actors in the UK, unless you attended auditions as a black actor - like Mr Oyelowo and Mr Henry.
And who else would know?
I have never experienced racial predjudice in the UK, why would I? I am a white male.
But I have experienced it in Spain thirty years ago, where British people were perceived as money-grabbing time-sharers.
How would you know the state of role availability for black actors in the UK, unless you attended auditions as a black actor - like Mr Oyelowo and Mr Henry.
-- answer removed --
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