Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
David Harewood is a distinguished British actor with a career spanning stage and screen. From portraying the Martian Manhunter in “Supergirl” to the steely David Estes in “Homeland,” Harewood has consistently delivered powerful performances. But beyond his acting chops, Harewood has recently made the news with his stance on a highly sensitive topic: blackface.
Blackface, the act of darkening one’s skin to impersonate a black person, has a long and offensive history rooted in racist caricature. Harewood’s latest statement seems to have found no problem with blackface because “the name of the game is acting”.
David Harewood Says It Better Be Good If Someone Wants To Black Up
David Harewood, the recently appointed president of RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), has ignited a debate on race in casting. Harewood believes that when it comes to casting, the ability to convincingly portray a character should be the deciding factor and not whether the race of the character matches that of the actor.
While Harewood emphasizes the importance of artistic freedom, he acknowledges the history ofblackface. He argues that if a white actor chooses to black up, the makeup and the performance itself better be exceptional to justify the approach, as he revealed in aninterviewwithThe Guardian.
“We’re at this strange point in the profession where people go: ‘Oh, you can’t play that role because you’re not disabled, or you can’t play that because you’re not really from there.’ The name of the game is acting,”
“Yes, we’ve got to be representative, but I do think we have to be careful … That even extends to Othello in blackface. I say, if you want to black up, have at it, man. It’d better be f***ing good, or else you’re gonna get laughed off the stage. But knock yourself out! Anybody should be able to do anything.”
“It is an antidote to this clickbait addiction”: Robert Downey Jr. Claims Innocence Over His Tropic Thunder ‘Blackface’ That He Based on a ‘70s Sit-Com
Harewood himself is no stranger to playing characters outside of his ethnicity. He performed as Romeo in an all-Black production ofRomeo and Julietand played William F Buckley, a white conservative inBest of Enemies.
David Harewood Narrated A Documentary On Blackface In 2023
In 2023, David Harewood embarked on a powerful exploration of a deeply disturbing aspect of entertainment history as the presenter and narrator ofDavid Harewood on Blackface.The project was adeep diveinto the troubling legacy of blackface. It wasn’t just about performance, it was a journey into the shadows of racial caricature.
“I’d say that’s pretty close”: Alan Wake 2 Fan Theory Might Be Closer to the Truth After David Harewood Makes a Massive Revelation
The documentary served as a stark and eye-opening experience. Harewood didn’t shy away from exposing the shocking roots of blackface minstrelsy and its enduring impact on culture. His exploration went beyond simple condemnation, delving into the reasons behind this practice and its lasting consequences. Fans can stream the documentary onBBC Select.
Piyush Yadav
Articles Published :157
Piyush Yadav is a young and cheerful writer from India. Wrestling, Movies, TV and Gaming - He loves all things entertainment. From WWE matchups to the Hollywood news, he has been exploring these worlds for more than two years to create informative and engaging content. Balancing his passion for writing with his pursuits of Chartered Accountancy, Yadav aims to provide a fun read to a wider audience.
More from Piyush Yadav
Succession Star Brian Cox: Women Should Lead Society as Fathers are “Too bloody selfish” and Men are “Just sperm banks”
“There’s never been a more beautiful man on screen”: Even God of Thunder Chris Hemsworth Admits He Can Never be as Handsome as One Actor
Robert Downey Jr.’s 4-Word Response to Chris Hemsworth’s Thor Performance Will Make Him Forget His ‘Love and Thunder’ Regret
Recommended
‘Blue Beetle’ Turns Two: James Gunn’s DCU Has Forgotten Him But These 4 DC Shows Did Him Proud
Transformers Star Is Absolutely Right on Why He Rejected ‘The Penguin’
How Many Episodes Are Left in One Piece Egghead Arc? Explained
The Summer I Turned Pretty Theory Proves Jenny Han’s Name Game Ruins Season 3 Finale
Brad Pitt Hits Maximum Paranoia: Real Reason He Wants to Turn $12 Million Home Into a “Fortress” (Report)
How Did Mila Kunis Prepare for Black Swan? Harsh 12 Hours Routine Details
