'Colorism matters': Will Smith faces backlash after being cast to play Serena Williams' father...

The Daily Mail UK ^ | 05 Mar 2019 | uncredited

[blueplum]

Full Title: 'Colorism matters': Will Smith faces backlash after being cast to play Serena Williams' father Richard in new biopic as Twitter users argue his skin 'isn't dark enough' for the role

Will Smith has just been tapped to play the father of Serena and Venus Williams in a new biopic, but many say the casting is far from a Grand Slam.

Critics were quick to take to social media to express their dismay after it was revealed Smith had been chosen to play Richard Williams in the biopic King Richard.

The problem? Many on Twitter said that Smith's skin wasn't dark enough to resemble the tennis legends' father.

[blueplum]

Colorism - aka racism - has been the scourge of Africa for centuries and the cause of many genocidal wars. Now it's becoming 'a thing' in the US - SAD!!

[al baby]

Will Smith in blacker face to play Silverback Williams

[rktman]

So who are the abw that play the girls?

[PAR35]

after being cast to play Serena

I first read that as Selena, and thought they were going to complain that he was too dark. When they said "too light" I had to backtrack.

[PAR35]

Now it's becoming 'a thing' in the US

Ever hear of the 'paper bag' test?

[BitWielder1]

Why do the actors have to be the right shade of black?
Why can't they be white, or Asian?
Why does Serena's father have to be played by a male?
etc.

[onedoug]

He couldn’t play Andy or the Kingfish either.

[bk1000]

I guess they really have a problem with Hamilton.

Oh wait...they don’t.

[TomGuy]

OMG!

Does this mean that Will might have to wear darker blackface?

Is it appropriate for a person of color to don face of color make-up?

[unread]

"Will Smith faces backlash after being cast to play Serena Williams' father Richard."

Well Hmmmm… I thought he was going to play Serena... Silly me..

[blueplum]

as a goof-off, yes. But, and I’m going to go generalized here, I’d say that American blacks are generally lighter than say, Congolese or Nigerian blacks or even Latinx blacks, none of which mixed much with lighter skinned people. So colorism quickly becomes discrimination against American blacks.

[Pilgrim's Progress]

So how come nobody is saying that Barack 0bama wasn’t black enough to be the nation’s first black president?

[nascarnation]

I always felt Baraq was “validated” when Blowprah jumped on his bandwagon, and the fact that he was married to Moochelle.

[blueplum]

***Is it appropriate for a person of color to don face of color make-up?***

apparently it’s become the latest excuse to whine - Some real craziness in this similar story, this time about a Latinx actress (but no stories about blacks recreating white films/plays in blackface):

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6773633/Mexican-TV-personality-faces-backlash-dawning-brownface-actress-Yalitza-Aparicio-parody.html

[newzjunkey]

Hamilton is different because they are making, “color-conscious casting of non-white actors as the Founding Fathers and other historical figures.” lol

[SkyPilot]

Because we all know there is more virtue and character in a person by the shade of their of their skin color.

Maybe we should start measuring the size of foreheads and noses?

[odawg]

I will hold that controversy in reserve for the time when I have nothing at all to be concerned about.

[bigdaddy45]

Can’t he put on a little dark makeup? Wouldn’t that solve the problem? Asking for a friend......

[dfwgator]

Will Smith faces backlash after being cast to play Serena Williams' father Richard

Parents just don't understand.

[morphing libertarian]

where will they find a manish whiney bully to play Serena