@ostyo: You're absolutely right that there isn't anything wrong with an all white movie, if the context makes sense. And like I said, I have no problem with the Wasp remaining white. But particularly when you are talking about such a huge blockbuster film, it isn't the best movie it can be if it is not inclusive. Most people identify just as strongly with their racial and ethnic backgrounds as they do with their gender, and for kids to have positive black characters, or Asian characters, or latino characters to look up to is just as important as positive female role models.
Non Hispanic whites do make up a majority of Americans, at 63% of the population based on the 2010 census, but that leaves 37% percent of the population unaccounted for. So if you just want to make it an issue of numbers, for every two white people on screen, you should have one person of color. The cast of the current Avengers has about three times less racial/ethnic diversity on average than America does.
Furthermore, almost all Marvel comics characters, including in the Avengers film franchise, come from and/or live in New York City. In NYC, non-Hispanic whites are still a plurality, but not even a majority, who only make up 35% of the population. Latinos make up about 28%, African Americans make up 25% of that population, and Asians make up 12%. So the math on that means for every three white characters, their should also be 3 approximately Latino characters, 2 black characters, and 1 Asian character. Now, unless you can think of any reason why their would be a racial bias in how super-powered accidents occur, the Avengers film cast is grossly under-representative.
And being a big blockbuster movie, studios expect to receive about half of their earnings in foreign markets. Globally, 60% of the world's population lives in Asia. So it makes financial sense that they might want to add someone of Asian descent to the roster. Particularly considering Iron Man 3 also took one Asian role out of the cinematic universe and replaced him again with another white male.
It's easy to think that white people are some sort of super majority when you look at American entertainment. And depending on where you live in the country, what you see on TV and movies might represent what you are accustomed to. But it is a factually inaccurate picture that Hollywood has painted, and that's a large reason why I think an Asian Wasp in the movies would be a step towards progress.
As for the whole Nick Fury Jr. thing, I think everyone can agree that was one of the stupidest decisions Marvel Comics has ever made. It doesn't mean Marvel Studios made a bad decision in casting Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury to begin with.
Log in to comment