Forget a Anthony Mackie in Captain America caught the smoke. Unfortunately, the list continues to grow. Keep in mind these are all fictional characters. However, when actress Elizabeth Taylor was cast as the Egyptian queen Cleopatra in the 1963 historical drama, the reactions from these same types of audiences were drastically different. Then again, there are still those who conveniently omit Egypt as even being part of Africa. But that’s a different story for another day.
Actor Alec Baldwin took to social media to defend Nyong’o. “Dear Elon… but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world…” Baldwin shared on Instagram alongside a photo of the accomplished actress. For the record Baldwin, while we appreciate the love, we got it from here.
A post shared by Lupita Nyong’o (@lupitanyongo)
It isn’t a secret that Hollywood is obsessed with blondes. And blondes with blue eyes who are a size 2? Whew. For anyone, especially a woman, in the entertainment industry who doesn’t fit these criteria to receive the type of attention that Luptia Nyong’o does is completely out of order to some people. Sure, beauty is subjective. But we know that Nyong’o’s smooth dark chocolate skin, short, kinky, natural hair, bold >Black Women in Hollywood event. We don’t need to wait for others to validate us. We validate ourselves and each other. It’s not just our physical beauty but the beautiful ways we intentionally pour into our work on-screen and behind the scenes that set us apart.
Haters gon’ hate. Whatevs. The check has already cleared. We’re going to continue to make these folks mad—one role at a time.
TOPICS: black women in hollywood Lupita Nyong’o
The post Why The Racist Backlash To Lupita Nyong’o’s Helen Of Troy Casting Tells A Familiar Story appeared first on Essence.
