Covered a million times but once more for the kids in the back. There are 2 major concerns when looking at “race swapping” with any sensitivity.
1. Is the race of a character intrinsic to their being in some way? Tony Stark’s defining traits are “smart and rich.” His race isn’t central. Martian manhunter is Martian. Is he racially Martian or ethnically Martian? That’s important. Harry Potter is an orphaned abused British kid. Race not so important. Black panther is... a native African from a native African nation. Pretty central to who he is as a character. In a historical drama a black King Richard may not make sense. In a fantasy, a comedy, or a work set in history but not accurate to history- well, play ball.
2. The primary force behind “race swapping” is the under representation of minorities. In America it was only within the last decade that the number of main characters who weren’t white dropped below 90%. Over 30% of the country is made up of “minorities.” That’s hugely disproportionate. Turning “white” characters other races skews this towards fair representation. Turning “minority” characters white by only skews it towards disproportionate but literally takes one of the few “minority” characters fans have to identify with away- and taking things away from minorities is a historical problem which underlies all this isn’t it? So one might see where there is sensitivity there.
Yes yes yes. People argue “just make new characters then!” But that’s part of the problem isn’t it? There is no black Superman, Superman or captain America weren’t going to be black because when they were made- that would be almost a crime to do. Forcing minorities to compete against characters with established franchises that are pop culture dynasties? Do you think a brand new “black” hero could pull down what black panther did or compete with avengers?
We are seeing pushes for what amounts to segregation in our culture. “Let them have their own separate but equal stuff!” “They can compete by the same rules. That’s fair..” no. It’s not. The game is already fixed. “In time...” yes. It’s possible that over decades a new hero could become a franchise that could topple avengers. Maybe. However the staying power of modern franchises and reboots calls that into question. The historical good will that established franchises have isn’t something that one can create in short order, and that just continues and draws out the ongoing struggle for civil rights and inclusion.
That’s the key word- inclusion. Someone could make an “all black avengers” with “white tiger” and “black iron man’s” “white side kick,” but that isn’t inclusive either is it? In fact- it’s the opposite isn’t it? That’s not a proportionate representation of the population is it, and we shouldn’t have to say that for minorities to have representation it needs to be separate and “stick to their own kind” should we?
It’s also a bit hypocritical is it not? Considering that pop culture and film has borrowed from the works past and present of other cultures. Many times being direct and often almost shot for shot rip offs. Raid redemption was used as a template for Dredd, old boy was a Korean film, Black Swan was Perfect Blue, The Departed was taken from a Chinese film called Infernal Affairs, The lake house, Even lion king is almost shot for shot with Kimba the white lion. That’s without taking influences and themes etc etc. the matrix was largely inspired by foreign film and fiction and shaped American film making. Spaghetti westerns and the like we’re often taken from Japanese folklore.
The Bible and it’s various re tellings, artistic reproductions etc tend to turn a bunch of Arabs and Hebrews and Africans into Europeans and the like. The list goes on and on and on. The point is- there was some but very little opposition to “race swapping” when it went the other direction. Many people who oppose “race swapping” currently are the same people who would have dismissed or mocked those speaking against it when it was characters of other races being made “anglicized” but now that “white” characters are being made POC? Well.... now a lot of people are upset by “race swapping” aren’t they?
AND HERES THE KICKER, cherry on top if you will. ON THIS VERY SITE- I’ve debated people or read posts from people who deny cultural appropriation even exists, or who say it’s overblown, yet many of those same people have spoken against race swapping using the same arguments and language that applies to... culture all appropriation. Huh... Things are different when you are in that position aren’t they? So perhaps put yourself in the position of a person who has a 1/10 chance of seeing someone like them in media AT ALL as a main character, and maybe it will make more sense.
1. Is the race of a character intrinsic to their being in some way? Tony Stark’s defining traits are “smart and rich.” His race isn’t central. Martian manhunter is Martian. Is he racially Martian or ethnically Martian? That’s important. Harry Potter is an orphaned abused British kid. Race not so important. Black panther is... a native African from a native African nation. Pretty central to who he is as a character. In a historical drama a black King Richard may not make sense. In a fantasy, a comedy, or a work set in history but not accurate to history- well, play ball.