The decision to cast Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman in the Harriet biopic is continuing to spark controversy. Many people are upset that the producers cast a British Actress instead of an African American actress to portray one of America's greatest heroes. The backlash has even brought up old tweets from Erivo mocking a "ghetto American accent," which has several critics threatening a boycott of the upcoming highly anticipated biopic. On the other side of the argument, Harriet is generating Academy Awards buzz due to Erivo's performance.
The Harriet trailer was released earlier this week and some people can't get past the fact that Cynthia Erivo is a British Actress. This isn't a new thing for the movie. The controversy first arose back in September 2018 when it was first announced Erivo was cast in the role and it has risen back up with the recent trailer reveal. "We will not allow the hype of a prestige film to compromise our sacred ancestor Harriet's legacy," says one critic on social media, which also includes the hashtag, "Harriet Deserves Better." The same person had this to say.
"So once again, Harriet Tubman's life is an expression of so much that makes African-American descendants of chattel slavery a unique people with a unique lineage, culture & history... How can you portray her when you dismiss and disrespect that unique lineage, culture and history?"
The "Harriet Deserves Better" hashtag has started trending on social media as more people chime in about the Harriet casting in the biopic. A similar situation popped up when British actor Daniel Kaluuya was cast in Get Out, Jordan Peele's horror movie about racism in America. However, people seem to more upset with Cynthia Erivo's casting in Harriet. One critic explains.
"Yea, I ain't watching this either. We are tired of our American roles going to people who don't have the same lineage of the characters they are portraying. It's like a dog playing the role of a cat."
Cynthia Erivo's past tweets mocking American culture is another reason critics want to boycott Harriet, with many quoting the aforementioned "ghetto American accent" tweet. Whatever the case may be, there are more people who are completely fine with the situation and see some Academy Awards in the future for Harriet and star Erivo. Making the movie in the first place is a controversial decision because it's going to be hard to get it right and satisfy everybody.
Cynthia Erivo has already won Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards for her work on Broadway's The Color Purple. This means she's only an Oscar away from joining the rare EGOT club and it's starting to look like Harriet might bring her the last award she needs. With that being said, the controversy of her casting is still causing controversy online. You can check out the trailer below, thanks to the Focus Features YouTube channel, along with some critical tweets.
Related: First Look at Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman in Upcoming Biopic
So once again, Harriet Tubman's life is an expression of so much that makes African-American descendants of chattel slavery a unique people with a unique lineage, culture & history.
How can you portray her when you dismiss and disrespect that unique lineage, culture and history? pic.twitter.com/oNIqIHUkd9
— 🇺🇸🌴Electric Bo Peep🌴🇺🇸 (@eBoPeep) September 24, 2018
I won’t be watching
— SamanthaAngeliq🇺🇸 Lets try this again (@SamanthaAngeliq) July 23, 2019
You should have casted an American Descendant of Slavery
Not a black Brit!
We will not allow the hype of a prestige film to compromise our sacred ancestor Harriet's legacy. #HarrietDeservesBetter#ADOShttps://t.co/J7Rffq6hN6
— 🇺🇸🌴Electric Bo Peep🌴🇺🇸 (@eBoPeep) July 23, 2019
Yea, I ain't watching this either. We are tired of our American roles going to people who don't have the same lineage of the characters they are portraying. It's like a dog playing the role of a cat.
— Nas Escobar (@nasescobar316) July 23, 2019
Supporting this film isnt in #ADOS best interest
— Michael 'Mike' Adams (@MJ_Adams30281) July 23, 2019
Questions #LineageMatters
1. Does this actress come from a #slave trading family
2. This is an #AmericanDOS story which an #ADOS actress should be lead and credit
3. What #ados Historian validated script or #white hollywood
🤔
#BoycottHarriet This woman is cast in the lead roll is British (automatic eyeroll to play a sacred ancestor), but she openly mocks our culture. #HarrietDeservesBetter#ADOShttps://t.co/zd7iKl34fn
— Júnot Indigo (@junotjoyner) July 23, 2019
HARD PASS This girl speaks so disrespectful of harriet's descendants and our culture. she mocks slavery! #HarrietDeservesBetter
— LanaHerman-Huxtable (@41Soulsistah) July 24, 2019
#HarrietDeservesBetter I'm not supporting any movies that don't cast FBA's. Actors and actresses are taking on more than just roles, to some degree they're representatives. These foreign black immigrants have no emotional attachment our ancestors plight and leve alot to be desire
— KICKSCIENCE (@Larry88686857) July 24, 2019
Cynthia Erivo it’s not the right person to play one of our black National revolutionary Queen Harriet Tubman. She of been deeply disrespectful to foundation black American. She is anti black Americans.#HarrietDeservesBetter . She side with white supremacist over black people.
— BlackAmerica Agenda2020 (@BAgenda2020) July 24, 2019
Harriet Tubman Movie Controversy Erupts Over British Actress Cynthia Erivo
0 comentários:
Post a Comment