Suvudu Universe

People can stop whining now.

Skin color isn’t important. All that matters is that the role goes to the best actor.

This is why it’s important to wait before making judgments.

Where’s the Asian Jedi. Wheelchair Jedi, Native American Jedi. This movie is going to be a mid 90′s Burger King commercial.

This feels forced.

By this point, we all know that Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) and Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) are in Star Wars: Episode VII, so this post isn’t a rehash of the official press release. The purpose of this post is to highlight the general remarks that have surfaced around the Web concerning the recent casting announcement.

People can stop whining now.

Bringing attention to the fact that there’s a lack of diversity is not “whining.” It astounds me how many people don’t bother putting themselves in other people’s shoes. Diversity is not something we beg for simply because we’re bored and have nothing else to do. We bring awareness to it because it is a real problem in society, media, and literature. According to a study conducted by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin, of 3,200 children’s books published in 2013, only 93 were about black people. 93 out of 3,200. That is equivalent to 3 percent.

Star Wars fans are familiar with the expression “balance with the Force,” but how about balance in representation? Supporters of diversity call others to be more inclusive and to consciously incorporate diversity into the story-making process. George Lucas did it (Leia, Lando, Mace, the clones, the handmaidens). Dave Filoni did it (Ahsoka Tano, Aurra Sing, Satine Kryze, Bo-Katan, and more). Greg Weisman did it (Elisa from Gargoyles and Rain from Rain of the Ghosts). Why can’t you–the part of fandom that keeps resisting the idea of diversity–do it, as well?

As for the first casting announcement, fans had a right to voice their concerns, especially given the lack of a significant female and racial presence. Dismissing those legitimate concerns and labeling our actions as “whining” only proves how much farther we have to go before achieving equal and proper representation for all.

Skin color isn’t important. All that matters is that the role goes to the best actor.

I cringe every time I read this on Twitter or hear it in conversation. Yes, obviously, we all want the role to go to the best actor, but why does that role go to white male actors 80 percent of the time? As creators and storytellers, we should be broadening character’s backgrounds and identities in our short stories, novels, and scripts. Then, when the time comes to choose an actor of the highest caliber to portray that role, it is done fairly because the background of the character has already been pre-determined during the writing process.

Incorporating diversity for diversity’s sake is not a bad thing. Doing so allows for more groups to be represented properly. Take Lupita Nyong’o, for example. Were it not for Oprah Winfrey in The Color Purple, she would not have pursued acting. Seeing a black woman actor on screen inspired her to follow her dreams. The next time you question the importance of having diverse actors, remember that representation matters because it empowers and inspires.

This is why it’s important to wait before making judgments.

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited and thrilled I was to find out that Jimmy Smits, an actor who identifies as Puerto Rican, found his way as Bail Organa in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. When news broke out that more Star Wars films were being made, I immediately thought, “I really want more Hispanic/Latino actors on set.” I have waited patiently, and on the day of the first casting announcement, I was pleasantly surprised to find Oscar Isaac attached to the sequel film. Though, I was less than enthused about the issue of diversity in general. Finding out that Lupita and Gwendoline are now part of Episode VII helped ease the blow left behind by the initial casting announcement.

That said, one of the worst things you can say to someone who is underrepresented in media is “to wait.” Waiting implies that diversity is an afterthought. Don’t pat me on the head and tell me to “wait my turn.” I’m done waiting.

Where’s the Asian Jedi. Wheelchair Jedi, Native American Jedi. This movie is going to be a mid 90′s Burger King commercial.

Blatant racism. I find it beyond frustrating that someone would say this because there are only two black actors, one Guatemalan-American actor, and four women. In a cast of 15 people, that makes up 33 percent. I had someone once tell me that Star Wars shouldn’t be used as a platform for my social agendas. Star Wars, like many other things, is a reflection of our own society. It is a galaxy with unlimited and untapped potential. Why would we limit that galaxy to our own archaic standards? The Star Wars fandom itself is a worldwide community with over 100 501st garrisons established in a variety of countries. Why is diversity in the film seen as something that’s not necessary or “forced,” when our own society should be reflected on what we see on the screen? Speaking of forced…

This feels forced.

Forced? Oh. You mean like being forced to watch white male actor after white male actor get the lead part in movies year after year? That kind of forced?

There is no such thing as “forcing” diversity. It’s called being inclusive and open minded. Take the Fantastic Four reboot, for example. Michael B. Jordan was selected to play Johnny Storm. Woah. A black actor chosen to play a traditionally white character? They’re clearly forcing diversity. Wrong. Again, that is called being inclusive and taking creative liberties. Johnny Storm is not defined by his “whiteness.” Johnny Storm is defined by the fact that he’s a hothead with an eye for women. That’s Johnny Storm. Changing his appearance shouldn’t cause an uproar, but it did because Heaven forbid a colored actor replace a role that could easily be played by anyone.

Now, take Tiger Lily from the upcoming live-action Peter Pan origin film, Pan. Rooney Mara, a white American actor, was chosen to play a Native American role. To reiterate, Tiger Lily is Native American. Rooney Mara is not. Whitewashing a character is forcing diversity OUT.

Lupita and Gwendoline’s addition to the cast is not something that should be taken lightly. It’s a necessary step towards change. A franchise that previously included two main women and two black actors has now increased those numbers. Diversity and representation are important because, as Star Wars fans, these movies are our legacy. We want future generations to look back and see the differences made for the better.