I don't usually do this

[samsom]

I just saw a preview on Lifetime for a movie based on an old Lois Duncan book, Stranger With My Face. This was one of the first books I recall reading during fourth grade, when I discovered books and everything that that means. So naturally it's significant to me.

It features a protagonist that is Native American, or at least part Native American. Basically, it's about a girl who looks different than the rest of her family. She has dark skin and black hair, and a history that is a major part of the suspense in the book.

So, the preview on Lifetime bugged me in a major way because the girl in the movie is so clearly white, WASPY even, as is her mother, played by Catherine Hicks of Seventh Heaven.

Seriously, was there any reason they couldn't maintain the integrity of the book, especially given that it was a major part of the story? I realize that adapting books to movies entails some short-cutting and revamping, but in imo, this shouldn't have been one of them.

There is some serious FAIL going on at Lifetime.

Comments

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Oh white-washing! Invading every single inch of this world.

This is one of the things that drives me absolutely nuts. I know I didn't post about it but there was a big pot of drama involving a book cover that was white washed just last month that made me so mad, I think I threw something. And it happens. all. the. time.

Did you see the newest X-Men? The Wolverine Origins one. Silver Fox in it is Native American and the actress that played her, Lynn Collins is mostly def NOT Native.

And all this stuff going on with the Avatar movie, where they cast whites instead of Asian decent people. It really gets me so riled up, you have no idea.

There are so few parts for minorities that are not stereotypes (see my icon!) and when there are good parts, they go to white people! IT IS SO WRONG! ahagighayghohje

*has desended into frothy rage*

[samsom.livejournal.com]

I just don't understand why? What is the fuck wrong with those people????

*stands next to you in the pit of frothy rage*

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

See, that is what gets me. WHY do you need to do this? Whites aren't the majority of a world audience and Hollywood movies are supposed to be marketed internationally.

And on top of that, if you put together every "minority" in America, it's equal to or if not more than the white majority!

Every excuse I have heard for whitewashing is such utter crap in my opinion. It's just a form of modern day oppression. If minorities can't be oppressed by taking away their rights, then we can do it through not giving them representations of themselves in film, television and media.

My best friend was lamenting the fact to me that when she was younger, she was really into fairies. She was very upset because she couldn't find any black fairies. She was very young and pretty much though that fairies only came in white. And fairies are fucking imaginary creatures?! What the fuck is the harm in making them black, white, green, yellow, purple, pink?!

GAAARR!

[samsom.livejournal.com]

Thing is, some minorities have a lot more disposable income then they ever had before and is ready and willing to spend some of that money on things representing themselves. I laughed my ass off when Tyler Perry's movie, I think it was Why Did I Get Married pwned at the box office when it opened, and everyone in Hollywood went WTF. DUH, assholes.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Much like the recording industry, the movie and television industry are both running on seriously outdated perceptions. There is a reason The Cosby Show was so popular. Same with George Lopez. People want to see representations of themselves on tv.

Then again, it took them HOW long before Hulu got big? I mean, jebus, the UK has been streaming shows for years, shows with minorities of all kinds. I wonder why we are so backasswards here in the states sometimes.

[samsom.livejournal.com]

I wonder why we are so backasswards here in the states sometimes

It's a conspiracy, I think. Sort of like why health care isn't universal here in the states. Or at least an option. Too much money to be made otherwise.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

If you get me started on health care, we will be here all. fucking. night.

My two big button issues are equal rights for equal people (meaning don't oppress minorities and gays, k?) and universal health care.

With my mom working at the VA, I hear all kinds of stuff. Operations that cost tens of thousands of dollars at county/city/private hospitals are done for hundreds at the VA. Because the VA has the buying power. They won't buy from companies with overinflated prices the way that the hospitals will. Medications that cost hundreds at hospitals only cost pennies at the VA. PENNIES!

My surgery was billed at 22K. My insurance agreed to pay 3K. Now you can't tell me that either of those figures was right. There is no way that an hour worth of surgery cost the hospital 3K.

There is a reason that insurance, hospital, and pharm CEOs are billionaires.

[makd.livejournal.com]

Seriously, was there any reason they couldn't maintain the integrity of the book, especially given that it was a major part of the story? I realize that adapting books to movies entails some short-cutting and revamping, but in imo, this shouldn't have been one of them.

it's called "racism". and yes: serious FAIL at Lifetime.

[samsom.livejournal.com]

I know. God. I know. Racism. It's just so damned naked and obvious and rude. I just don't know what to say. LJ has taught me a lot, and I have to say that the most valuable thing it's taught me is to look, really look, and what I see is so indefensible that I just need to believe there's a deeper reason.

But there's not. It's just racism, nothing deep, just deeply learned. Gross.