Hot Take - a journalism term derisively used to describe a "piece of deliberately provocative commentary that is based almost entirely on shallow moralizing" in response to a news story, "usually written on tight deadlines with little research or reporting, and even less thought." [Wikipedia]
Welcome to a new segment where I take something random I think and try to make sense of it. Will this segment actually return? Who knows. Not me, that's for sure. I know hot takes are usually seen as a negative, at least from my brief research. Some might argue my blog is nothing but hot takes. This may be true, but these hot takes still make you think, beloved.
It's no secret that we're a people obsessed with the past. Our parents might say the current generation is the one always trying to reclaim the 90s, but no, there's more to it than that. Everyone like to reminisce and think of days they once knew or heard about as children. Throwbacks are a national pastime. I'm sure nearly everyone reading this has played the "What Decade Would You Want to Live in Besides This One?" game. Some people answer the groovy 70s. Some want to swing pass the Great Depression into the 40s. Other want to go back further and experience the glorious Roman Empire. (Talkin about Caesar!) Most of these people are white. Playing that game isn't as fun for people of color.
I say that to say this: Hollywood is racist and wants to make as many reenactment and period piece movies and television shows to keep out actors of color. Think about it. Most studios aren't going out of their way to colorblind cast actors in their reenactments. Even Drunk History stays true to color lines for the most part. I've never seen Titanic, but I hear the only color you see during those three hours is on a canvas and in the band as they play while the ship sinks. Or you could just watch this video. At best, minority actors and actress play bit parts or stereotypes because that's what they were seen as during the time. Or on the other side, you get slavery pieces. Those are the successful and popular reenactments we have to choose from, because lord forbid we're cast in films set in Ancient Egypt or anywhere else set in Northeastern Africa. Looking at you, Gods of Egypt.
Luckily, change is in the air. The 90s were a prominent time for black people in the media, and granted it's about an athlete's murder case, I'm happy American Crime Story started its first cycle with the OJ case. It gives me hope the Jimi Hendrix bio-flick didn't.
I couldn't end this hot take without mentioning Hamilton the Musical. It's proof that you can take historical figures, plug in multicultural actors and hip-hop, and have success. It's so successful, it's sold out until the end of the year. You know why it's sold out? Because there was a void for something of this caliber. The viewing public is ready for more diverse and daring works of art. So Hollywood, don't be afraid to take risks on us. We can tell our stories while telling yours. Hopefully you can do the same.
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