https://blacknerdproblems.com/aaron-pierre-casted-as-green-lantern-john-stewart/

When Green Lantern: The Animated Series dropped back in 2012. It was a banger that got robbed of more seasons. However, it gave me hope that a live action Green Lantern would soon come. It wasn’t soon at all. Green Lantern was in production pow for numerous years. We didn’t know if it would ever see the light of day, and if it did, would we get to see Green Lantern John Stewart or Green Lantern Hal Jordan in the lead. Twelve years later we have our answer as Aaron Pierre has been cast as John Stewart in HBO’s Green Lantern series Lanterns.

After seeing Aaron Pierre in Rebel Ridge, where he portrays a military specialist in close quarters combat and firearms, it was impossible to not to think that it makes sense for him to portray Green Lantern John Stewart. He’s got the size, demeanor, and temperament. So while some are excited about the casting and rightfully so, there’s a hard-light construct elephant in the room that’s gotta be addressed about Green Lantern John Stewart. John Stewart is a dark-skinned superhero that will now be portrayed by an actor that has a lighter complexion.

This is a thing that happens often with dark skinned characters when they move over to live action. It happens often with dark skinned black characters (Roberto De Costa), and even non Black poc characters (America Chavez). I said a thing that happens but let’s call it by name: colorism. A common occurrence in castings that effect not only dark skinned characters but dark skinned actors. However, this isn’t a reflection on Aaron Pierre or his acting ability. This isn’t suggesting that he didn’t audition his ass off or that he was handed the role. That man Aaron Pierre is going to do a fantastic job. We are simply talking about colorism as a pattern that happens in casting. That’s it. No, I’m serious, That’s legit it. You could stop reading right here.

I promise you that’s all that needs to be said. Key phrase, needs to be said. Some folks may feel that it doesn’t need to be mentioned at all because it’s one Black character portraying another Black character. What’s the issue? To which I would say, “If you’re not Black, google colorism.” If the person is Black, I would say, “Come on, fam…” I’ve said this before, I come from a long line of “I don’t wanna talk about it” but when has not talking about something ever made it better? To not acknowledge colorism happening does a discredit to those Black folk that feel affected by it. You gotta acknowledge a thing (that thing being colorism) so that we can move forward.

Again, no one is calling for Aaron Pierre to drop from the role or for the show to be boycotted. Neal Adams purposely made John Stewart a dark skinned character and colored him that way in a time where most heroes were a usually a specific shade of brown. Neal Adams, was a white comic book artist (that knew how to correctly draw black characters) dealt with this back in the 70s. Ronald Wimberly, an Black comic book writer and artist wrote/drew a whole essay in 2015 about being asked to lighten a Melita Garner, an Afro-Mexican comic book character. Acknowledging the importance of the choice to make John Stewart a dark-skinned man is an important thing. So when we see it not playing out in live action, we gotta acknowledge why folks may feel disheartened with the casting so that we move forward with Aaron Pierre playing the character. I promise you that acknowledging colorism, doesn’t mean someone is not black enough or shouldn’t have support.

It’s simply saying while this actor is dope and will do well, it would have been nice for a dark-skinned actor to have gotten the chance to run with the opportunity. That’s it. I promise you both things can be true at the same time. I swear it is possible. Zendaya is a great example of an actor that acknowledges colorism and stomps it out by going after different roles even if they call for white woman’s portrayal. This is how she uses her privilege to not take up space from dark skinned actors getting a chance at certain roles. Amandla was in the running for the role of Shuri in Black Panther then dropped out cause she felt similar in that she was taking up space where she shouldn’t. Ed Skrein is a white dude that prevented the white washing of a Hellboy character Ben Daimo by purposefully dropping the role which led to Daniel Dae Kim taking up the role.

Now trying to have these type of discussions online can feel like an mfer trying to ice skate up hill, especially when the hill are people either ignorant of colorism, don’t see the issue (because of their own privilege), or see the information and twist words around into this being Black people nitpicking or bringing a Black person down. The willful dismissal of facts and nuance got Roi Ottley and Edward R. Murrow rolling in their graves. However, it is my belief that even through that all that it entails, it is important to acknowledge an issue no matter how big or how small so that those going through it can feel seen. I’d rather say the disheartening thing and it be known so that someone who was disheartened can at least feel heard and invited to partake (if they so choose) in seeing their favorite character portrayed on screen.

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The post Aaron Pierre, Green Lantern John Stewart, and the Elephant in the Casting Room appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.