CULTURE

The theatre is supposed to be an artistic realm where creativity and self-expression are prioritized above all else. Yet, as the world prepares to see another production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, a shadow is lurking backstage — the pervaisive presence of racist slander. The announcement that Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, a Black actress, was cast to play the lead role as Juliet, has been met with a "barrage of deplorable racial abuse." Instead of considering why she's been cast, perhaps her talent or experience, they're only concerned with one aspect: her identity as a Black woman.

Of course, the backlash Francesca is facing is further evidence of the broader problem of racism in theatre culture. Initially, in America, popular minstrel shows showed dehumanizing representations of Black people in theatre, reducing them to nothing more than caricatures. With blackened faces and red-painted lips, White actors portrayed characters like "Jim Crow," who were characterized as "lazy, ignorant, superstitious, hypersexual, and prone to thievery and cowardice," according to the Smithsonian Museum. The widespread portrayal of Black people as having poor qualities in theatre contributed to the myth that they couldn't play emotionally and intellectually complex roles.

This stigma Black actors experienced was inflamed by their absence in Shakespearean theatre until the 20th century. Simply excluding them, production companies fed into the notion that they weren't fit for these roles. White actors traditionally played the role of Romeo and Juliet, not because they were better than Black actors, but because of the racism of English audiences who this play was written for. Essentially, White people in the theatre world had main character syndrome. As a result, casting a Black woman as Juliet in the modern era challenges this notion that white people should always be the main character. That stories should always center on them.

It's reminiscent of the backlash Brandy, a Black American singer and songwriter, received when she played the role of Cinderella in 1997 when many White people felt offended at the idea of a Black woman playing a role traditionally reserved for a White woman. The same can be said of their critique of Whitney Houston playing her fairy godmother. While many people enjoyed seeing a more diverse cast, others felt offended that the princess was Black and her prince was cast as Paolo Montalban, a Philipino man. They masked their racism as an attachment to tradition, conveniently ignoring the role race played in shaping their expectations.

While many will claim they're concerned with keeping these characters traditional, they're conveniently ignoring the role racism played in limiting the diverse representation in theatre and the film industry. In defining what's traditional as good and anything nontraditional as bad, we're left with a racist facade. For instance, when Othello was filmed in 1965, Laurence Olivier, a White actor, played the lead role wearing blackface. Instead of casting a Black man to play the role, they doubled down on a racist tradition. In another instance, many expressed disappointment when India Amarteifio, a racially mixed Black woman, was cast as Queen Charlotte in a Bridgerton TV series spinoff. Her skin tone was seen as historically inaccurate. This is an example of the way some use traditionalism to justify racist practices.

When Denzel Washington, a Black actor, portrayed Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), he received widespread critical acclaim for his commanding performance in the lead role. Yet, behind the scenes, he, too, faced racism from those who opposed his inclusion simply because of the color of his skin. While Washington hoped that viewers would "look past Macbeth's race" and focus on his acting abilities, there was substantial pushback, at least from some. In Shakespeare's play, there are mythological characters, such as the inclusion of seers and witches, but somehow, casting a Black man is deemed a step too far.

Of course, some suggest that Black people should not be included in Shakespearean plays and films, that their exclusion is a sign we should center stories written by Black playwrights. And yet, the enduring quality has made these stories culturally influential despite being written during the late 1500s. In a multiracial society, portraying a diverse group of actors and actresses makes sense. And yet, this pushback to a Black woman cast to play Juliet shows that we haven't become a post-racial society where race doesn't matter. Indeed, many people left horrible comments online about her appearance.

Some misgendered Francesca, calling the Black actress a man. Others suggested more light-skinned actresses would be better suited and accused the production company of being "woke" or implementing a "DEI" program. The misogynoir took center stage as racists gave an endless monologue of reasons to deny her the opportunity to play Juliet. The Jamie Loyd Company responded and said this racist bullying of cast members "must stop." And yet, it's an unfortunate set of conditions beyond their control. What could or should we be doing to challenge racism following casting announcements?

The importance of representation in theatre and film should be considered. Characters are influential, and the identity of those who play key roles shapes our cultural landscape, impacting what we see in the art we consume. This controversy surrounding the casting of a Black woman playing Juliet shines a spotlight on the work our society must continue to work through. We must encourage diverse casting, call out racist bullying when we see it, and never let an attachment to traditionalism blind us to the racial intolerance some are attempting to conceal. The truth of the matter is that assuming a Black actress isn't qualified is racist, and we shouldn't shy away from saying that.

Let's remember that the stage can be a powerful platform, and it's up to us whether it represents the diverse world that we share. While the racist backlash is disheartening, we should never lose sight of the positive role that representation plays. Seeing a Black woman play Juliet and other productions may inspire other Black actors to play these roles in the future. As we celebrate this victory for inclusion, let's continue to advocate for a society where opportunities are not deprived to actors based on the color of their skin.

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