Colourism is described as discrimination against darker-skinned minorities and the idea that lighter-skinned minorities are given more privilege - and before you complain about the woes of"snowflake millennials" - it isn't a new concept.
While dark-skinned slaves had more gruelling work outdoors on the plantations, their light-skinned counterparts usually worked indoors doing more domestic tasks - this preferential treatment occurred because light-skinned slaves were often the product of white slave owners raping their female slaves.
"It's two things, firstly light-skinned people have always been seen as more palatable to the mainstream," says writer and Dazed's TV columnist, Bolu Babalola. "And dark-skinned people, their experiences navigating race is often so different to light-skinned people's," she continues.In US sitcom Martin, Gina was played by Tisha Campbell with Pam played by Tichina Arnold
Ffs give it up, BBC.
It doesn’t, there’s a makeup department 🤷🏼♀️😀
Just so I know does Will count as black if this is the case?
I’m taken aback that this is an issue. An actor will play the part and be moulded to fit the part. Most actors are enhanced by make up or prosthetics to show the person’s physical features. A talented actor would show the essence of the person portrayed.
What an ignorant tweet.
DON'T CARE.
To be fair the bbc has waited till the weekend rather than making it a front page issue like some online outlets. However it’s good to criticise the national broadcaster and right sometimes. At least they didn’t start the story with ‘in lighter news ... ‘
This idear of denying an actor a part based on there colour over there talent is going way to far ( sorry we can't give you the part!, why...? your not black enof, talk about a kick in the teeth.
Dont black him up!! Cultural appropriation!! DawnButlerBrent
No!
Put some ink on him! Do we not have anything better to talk about?
Too light? Surely he can put on a few pounds.
There are bigger, more serious issues to deal with, these kinds of questions are taking over the debate way too often! Ffs!
I’ve bloody heard it all now! How ridiculous, this man is a talented actor, what a stupid thing to debate over 😳
Don’t even ask such stupid questions!
Serious question to the work experience Children in the room. Why are you so obsessed with race/colour/gender/anti British terrorists. You do understand that it’s perfectly acceptable to be a white, heterosexual, male who is proud of his British nationality. Idiots!
This will ruffle feathers. This is a also a disgrace. Not black enough? Get out.
If he has to black up then anyone could do it.
How about Sylvester Stallone? He's a good actor isn't he!
Are Sky still pushing an agenda to push race division ? just asking.
Any one heard about the majic of make up?
I felt Claire Foy was a tad too pale to play the role of Queen E. I'm appalled by this colourism! *shrieks *rolls on ground
Omg. This is getting beyond belief, really !!
Oh FFS! Will you please stop this navel gazing!
Simple answer is that it doesn’t matter.
That’s a new one!? 2019 is going to be a weird one
What a tone deaf question. Will is an phenomenal actor, but there are other actors who are also talented but closer in tone to Mr. Williams. The 'any black will do' mentality doesnt work & plays directly into colorism. Diversity is Necessary. Shame on you
who cares, who cares about hollywood , these people are of no interest , get a hobby people , do something
Matters because he has a history of being nasty to dark skin people.
oh for goodness sake.
Heard of racism but this is just stupid are we judging by shades of race now
What does he weigh then?
BBC continually plays the racial cultural wars.
When white actor is chosen to play role, filmmakers ensure there is some resemblance between the actor & subject they are portraying. Yet when it comes to a black person any black actor will do. Take Zoe Saldanha playing Nina Simone?
Is that being racist to say that
Nothing to do with the colour of his skin but hes a shit actor
Who actually gives a toss,Just dip him in a darker brown or better still make the film in black and white
Excuse me HackneyAbbott DavidLammy what the hell so going on here, the BBC has used the term “light” for a Black man , quick start tweeting your objection
What is it about having more or less melanin in you skin that makes you more qualified for a job.
No. It should'nt matter whatsoever.
Did I hear they were considering resurrecting the Black & White Minstrel Show...?
🤦♂️
No, and it doesn’t matter. Any news happening?
Who f**king cares, you mimby muppets, do you know what damage single use packaging is doing to the small mammals and fish that are without a voice, and all you can gripe about is , is a black, sorry is a man of colour a man of colour enough bullshit
Good grief!
Let him black up his face
Couldn’t he black up for it?
How much does he weigh?
Ffs 🙄
Is this an actual story?
cos you all racist.
He was too skinny to play Muhammed Ali bit they beefed him up. I think getting Will Smith the black up could produce some exciting debates.
They look a similar weight to me.
I feel racism in this tweeting.
Liberals - the next James Bond should be black. Also liberals - will Smith is not black enough to play a black character.
Wow.. just wow. So now you are either too white or not black enough. Well done to the left, well done
are obsessed with race
I would’ve said it was because his ears are too BIG
Stupid question, there is a thing called ‘stage makeup’ BBC you should know better.
There must have been 1000’s of actors who have not quite looked like whoever they are portraying too light too dark no freckles wrong colour hair wrong body shape etc - this is all getting insane
Get Diane abbot to do it? 😳
It seems everyone is too white these days !
It doesn’t matter! BBC you make it an issue!
Oh come on. Suddenly there are no makeup artists in Hollywood!
OMG stop with the colorism.
Why is that even a question
My god this race stuff is a mess , not black enough is now a problem
How heavy is he ?
I would say no as he's a terrible actor.
How black does he have to be?
I'm going to sit this one out.
Having read many of the replies here...... I don't think anyone would have said a word if he was left to the role and simply got on with it.... BUT the BBC (and the American news) had to dredge it up!
😂😂😂
Can't they just black him up a bit.
Is this still up for discussion? An actor/actress doesn't have to be exactly the same as the character being portrayed. Besides, who cares how black he is or isn't.
Sorry u do not meet the Dulux Colour Chart Requirements for this role... It boogles the mind, people say there is not enough BAME actors or roles and when BAME roles comes around... Ur not the right BAME for the role....
What a ridiculous question. If anyone really cares give him a two week holiday in the south of France beforehand so he can work on his tan!! 😂 Quite frankly anyone would be lucky to have such a good looking and talented actor play them!
Fuck me will this end with a Dulux colour chart?
This is absolutely ridiculous, why is this even considered as news
It doesn’t. So don’t give it traction
Well, he’s not blue and he played the genie in Aladdin. Relax people.
This story has been round for a week it’s old news are you just publishing this for the sake of something to publish
Soon we won’t even be allowed to say The Grinch is a green man and then you can bet the Hulk will be pissed at that too.
How utterly utterly utterly ridiculous! There’s not enough utterly’s in the world to say how utterly ridiculous this is!
The chaps that played Bruce Banner managed it
Why bring race into this? You can’t comment with some people. As white woman I’m fed up with racism against white people! We’re not all the same? And happy International Woman’s day to you too!
I'm sure Lammy will have an opinion ask him
Racism
It was the same with casting tiny Tom Cruise in the role of Hack Reacher. Way off
Omg? 😲
Isn’t he an actor? Aren’t there make-up artists to deal with skin tone technicalities?
If this wasn't such a one-way street, it would be a lot more credible. Baseless racist whining.
This must be a joke? He is a brilliant actor - why should something like this even come into it? The world has gone mad!
Yet another pointless race baiting piece of poor journalism fakenewsBBC
Colour always matters to LabourBAME supporters shows how Diversity divides the left have become more racist OwenJones84 afuahirsch IlhanMN DavidLammy
Rami Maleks Oscar winning performance as Freddie Mercury is proof positive that an actor doesn't need to accurately resemble the person they're playing. They just have to embody their character.
Cant believe this is being discussed....
Because if there’s outrage over heterosexuals playing homosexual parts.. There should be outrage over this. There should be outrage about more important things in society, but hey that’s life.
You already tweeted about this.
He has a funny tinge. He’s good
Provocative question. And pointless
No and don't care
Why does it matter? Sure. He’s not the same shade. But for fuck sakes people. Colourism? That worked well for Rwanda I guess. No wait it didn’t. People need to stop this shit. The racial identity mobs from the left are tearing society apart and they need to stop
Only people who haven't got the slightest idea about the meaning (and history) of acting would say a thing like that. WillSmith
Oh blimey. At the cutting edge of news again. This was from like Monday? And honestly it really doesn’t matter, he will do it, people will watch it and that will be that. Go find a worthy story, no one is arsed really!
Stupid question.... who cares?
It shouldn't matter at all. In fact it probably only matters to those who seek out any excuse to carp about this sort of thing. I doubt if the average member of the audience would notice. If you can have an African American woman playing Hamlet, a Danish prince, anything goes.
Any chance we can have some Pantone numbers on this one? At what point are people going to think it’s getting out of hand?
If we get to the point where every actor must be identical to the person they are playing, we will end up having to cast everyone as themselves.
I think he should definitely get the job. He can use makeup to darken his skin tone. The joy of hearing people getting offended by a black man blackfacing would be outstanding.
If it's not Samuel L Jackson criticising nationality of black guy, it's someone having a conniption fit over wrong colour of black guy. Ridiculousness knows no boundaries.
I suppose the licence fee pays for this shit output from the BBC growup sad
Nonsense. Give the best black man the job!
And jeremycorbyn should play Will Smith , because he is too light for that role
No and no.
It clearly matters to you, this is the 2nd bloody piece you’ve written on it. Go and find some real news and stop wasting my licence fee.
Well they could use some dark makeup or would that be stepping over a line for actors?
Yes please, get denzel in there.
Just because Will is more bankable, doesn't mean he is the right man for the role. There are so many great up and coming actors that could play Richard in this film, Chadwick Boseman for example.
It doesn’t matter, Hollywood has always been a bit “light” when it comes to historical facts. Discrimination can still be shown even if his skin colour isn’t as dark as the person he’s portraying
If they want “black” actors to play James Bond why can’t
thats odd a black man blacking up for a movie roll
Cant't believe this is a question on the BBC
He was blue enough to play the genie in the new Aladin movie, I'm sure he's black enough for this one 😁
I think Meryl Streep should play the role.
Racism is rife in the b l a c k community. Laughable.
It shouldn’t matter at all. But, since the worlds of Cinema & TV have become totally PC obsessed, it will become increasingly difficult to cast many major roles in future with the quality of actor they deserve.
He better not try for Othello...😁 toolight
Hey off the skin color that's why we got this shit called make up. Get off will before we get on yall
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ meltdown
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Yes, to a degree, when it comes to portraying a real person.
I am sure make up can change that.
It isn't important at all - give it a rest fgs! What is this obsession with colour? We're all different and we are all much more than our colour - it's only a thing if you make it a thing.
He isn't. But that's where we are now with all the talk of colourism, cultural appropriation etc etc. All the strident activism is making life & art less enjoyable
Say what?!
You mean a different colour 😱
Well marvels nick fury was a really dark white and nothing said.
I guess the BBC wouldn't have an issue with it, considering the fact the BBC have been casting POC actors to play both fictional and historical European figures.
What utter rubbish
Is the bbc obsessed with race and colour? Yes. And why does it matter? I don’t know
Yes, why does it matter - but everyday its mentioned and a big deal made about it and people hauled over the coals for not getting it right.
Getting beyond pathetic now
Racist
No! He’s a black man. He’s qualified.
Well as its racist thought and comment should it even be a question. But trust Racist promoting BBC to promote it
It doesn't. It's all bollocks.
Ri-fucking-diculous!
What is the matter with people. As long as the portrayal is good and accurate a shade or to light is completely irrelevant.
The choice of photo here is a pretty good indicator why skin-tone is only one aspect of casting. Hair, mannerisms, etc... It does seem notable though, that many of the darker skinned men you see in US films & TV seem to be british (Elba, Oyelowo, Harewood, Kaluuya, Boyega)
The left are completely obsessed with colour. Maybe producers and directors should have a colour chart to hand when casting. To me the question should be can he play the role.
It’s rare you can get an actor to portray an existing person or character and fit the bill completely but that’s why it’s called ACTING. If your personal view is another actor is better suited to the role that’s your opinion but to say he’s not black enough is ridiculous.
He is unsuited for heavyweight roles, yes. And does it matter...? questionasaheadline 🤪 somuchbbc
There needs be balance in everything and this is being PC being unbalanced. You have to draw the line somewhere
Typical BBC obsessed with identity politics
If Richard is happy for Will to play him in a film then everyone else should be.
Hope those clamouring for Idris Elba to be james bond will shut up?
Who cares about colours?
Why is this a problem? It was never brought up for Alexander Hamilton or Aaron Burr.
7,714,576,923 - world population, how is it we can never find gay, trans disabled, black or women actors and actresses - why do we look to the same few people time again? this is the issue not the headline!
Dunno, but he's defo too shit for it.
Make up?
Melanin aka skin tone has never stopped Hollywood, from casting certain actors in roles. Think Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor 🤔
Not coloured enough 🙄
Is Will Smith A a good actor, yes B available, yes C male, yes What's the problem, it's a film, ever heard of artistic licence. Another case of the over sensitivity yet again
SERIOUSLY?
Two days in a row with this? Go find some real news please, it shouldn’t be that hard.
No..bs..let him be
It doesn’t matter... not even a little bit..
Fix it in post. bojack
He was too dark to be Genie but he still did it. And it was all fucked. Completely ruined my childhood, so that version is a bootleg knockoff that was made in some foreign country on some other planet in my mind. You go get them Grammies Wiil 😁💨 play these people for theirMoney
Would it be appropriate for him to play the role in blackface? Option?
If “ people of colour” can be regularly cast in “white” roles why does it matter?
Can we not send a missile to divert an asteroid in to Earth..please
What would be nice is if we could go just one day without a debate about people being overly offended. It's just so bloody boring. The BBC is awful for it. Totally obsessed with its own definitions of equality.
Based only on the tweet - who fucking cares how ‘light’ his skin tone is? Likely fools, or worse, I would guess.
....abandon all hope, those who enter here....?
He could wear 'dark' makeup!
BlAcKeR pLeAsE!! 🥴🤤🤪
It's almost as if makeup has never been invented.
Black him up.
Don't you think we have more serious issues than this crap?
Why is this even a question? Are you trying to incite people?
What the fuck is going on?
Please, God. Send a second flood. We've gone wrong somewhere...
Should Will Smith star in this movie?
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