Anonymous #2 9w

Sure, but who’s saying they’re going to alter the script to include race as a factor why Snape isn’t trusted? Honestly, the people making this argument are kind of outing themselves for perpetuating a stereotype of black people being suspicious. It *is* possible for Harry/his father to hate Snape just because, well, he’s kind of an asshole. Regardless of race.

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Anonymous #5 9w

Yeah, but how does this change the character?

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Anonymous #4 9w

To American audiences, maybe, but this shit takes place in the UK. Not everything revolves around America.

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Anonymous #3 9w

I think this is a big part of the hate, but I genuinely think racism is at play here- every comment I see is how Snape shouldn’t be black. Even the so-called progressives say it’s problematic because it makes a black man look suspicious, when in actuality, what makes Snape suspicious is that he’s just kind of a dickhead.

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Anonymous OP 9w

Because a lot of the story telling is about how he looks. Harry got once glance and didn’t trust him. The connotations are already there, we aren’t making it that way. Race can be an important part of white characters stories too, and it unfortunately is here. The story of one kid getting horribly bullied, growing up to join a supremacy cult, and being a shady character completely changes when that character’s race is different from the rest of the characters, especially if it’s a minority race

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Anonymous OP 9w

Also important to note snape was an asshole because of the bullying. He was targeted because he was a quiet kid that looked vulnerable. That cannot be the story if the only thing they change is the character being black. They will have to change the story in some way, or James and Harry Potter are just hella racist now

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Anonymous OP 9w

lol people just gonna downvote my comment and not even answer?

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Anonymous #2 9w

But if you actually read the books, his looks have nothing to do with why Harry didn’t initially trust him. It’s simply the look he gave Harry- which could be conveyed by a person of any race.

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Anonymous #2 9w

Also, this is such a cop-out. You’re actually MORE racist for assuming black people can’t play certain characters because the color of their skin “affects the narrative.”

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Anonymous #2 9w

With this logic, no black actor can play a morally ambiguous character.

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Anonymous OP 9w

I think it’s pretty racist to deny the important role race plays into people’s lives. Race is a vital part of people’s identities and greatly shapes our experiences. Experiences don’t happen in a vacuum, they have context. Changing the characters race changes the context. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, it can be done well, and has been in the past in media. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just bad when it’s done poorly. I fear it may be done poorly bc the whole series feels like a money grab

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Anonymous OP 9w

And no, by my logic it doesn’t mean a morally grey character can’t be played by a black person. It’s that this persons story, Snape’s story, changes when it’s moved from a white person to a black person. That doesn’t mean it’s bad. It doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. It means the story changes, and this time it’s changing in a concerning way that will need to be addressed to fit the tone of the overarching message, or the message will be changed from source material. Which could work great

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Anonymous #2 9w

See you’re deflecting, now. Saying the series is a money grab, avoiding the actual topic. Are you familiar with Paapa Essiedu’s work? If not I suggest you look it up. His performance as Hamlet in the Royal Shakespeare Company is incredible- displays a certain level of “unhinged” that I think was missing from Alan Rickman’s performance as Snape.

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Anonymous #2 9w

I think you’re too focused on his identity and not focused enough on his ability.

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Anonymous OP 9w

I’m not deflecting, I’m stating my concerns lmao. Re-read my first comment, I said I had no doubt in Paapa Essiedu’s ability to give us a fantastic performance of Snape. This doesn’t have much to do with him, it has everything to do with the writers (and director’s) creative choices with how it’s treated. I don’t have trust in how they treat it, in part bc the whole project feels like a money grab instead of a passionate project aimed to retell a very well loved story. But that can change

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Anonymous #2 9w

Okay, then why bring up your concerns about the creative direction of the show in defense of why Snape shouldn’t be black? Look, I’m addressing just the blatant racism Paapa Essiedu’s now facing for accepting a role he’s likely going to nail- and I’m also saying the people who think he shouldn’t play it because it makes Harry look racist should evaluate their own internalized racism.

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Anonymous OP 9w

Because whether you like it or not, it does change the story, in a rather significant way. So it will need to be addressed. Ignoring it just turns it into a story about how a whole family was racist against the black kid, which is very much not the story of Harry Potter. I’m not denying there are people who are upset because they’re racist, and are taking their anger out on Essiedu directly. That doesn’t mean all concerns and criticism against the decision are racist in origin though

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Anonymous OP 9w

You’re really giving off “we should be colorblind as a society” vibes, which is also a problematic and harmful mentality to approach the issues of racism and oppression in our current world. Whether that’s international or not maybe reflect on it

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Anonymous #2 9w

I think this is an incredibly short-sighted and one dimensional take. Believe it or not, it is possible to dislike a black person if they’re a pompous dick.

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Anonymous #2 9w

And I think you’re giving off, “I think everyone should be placed into boxes” vibes.

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Anonymous OP 9w

Of course it is, but that context needs to be written in. That is not why James and his friends bullied snape. He was not mean to them at all. Their rudeness and bullying is what made him into a dick. Are you really meaning to tell me you believe with your whole heart, that if the only thing that was changed about Harry’s character was that he was black, yet the Dursley’s remained exactly as they are, there wouldn’t be a perceived racial motive? Especially to young first time viewers

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Anonymous OP 9w

Their stories are meant to parallel each other, after all

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Anonymous #2 9w

James bullied Snape because he was quiet and awkward- never once did the original source material imply it had to do with his outward appearance.

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Anonymous OP 9w

Yes it did. It’s also because he appeared vulnerable. That was partially based on outward appearances, if not wholly. Not to mention James’ arrogance and feeling of superiority as a factor. He often did it simply because he felt like he could. That certainly wouldn’t have any racial undertones if the bullying victim was black, right? No, that would just be silly! You also didn’t answer my question, so much for calling out deflection

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Anonymous #2 9w

Alright. Let’s say, for the sake of your argument, that they *did* give Harry and his father racist undertones. How would that affect the narrative? Isn’t it true that all protagonists have hubris? And in the end, doesn’t Harry learn that Snape had been protecting him all along/literally name his child after him?

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Anonymous #2 9w

The fact that you’re SO deadset on Snape being white is kind of telling, tbh.

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Anonymous OP 9w

Honestly I think it would be a great addition since the overarching theme of the franchise is about exploring oppression, prejudice, and discrimination. The main character grappling with that theme in a more direct way could be incredible, especially with the underlying Snape’s story is Harry’s story. Having him relate to a black person his father oppressed would be GREAT. I just don’t have faith the writers will do that.

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Anonymous OP 9w

I’m not dead set on him being white. I’m dead set on his story not being changed if he isn’t, and how it can be harmful. Bc Snape just had to get over it. He was expected to ignore the bullying and be the bigger person in the end. And he did choose to. But that’s not a message I want to send black children who suffer from bullying and prejudice, that it’s their job to overcome it and be better alone, instead of the job of other kids to not bully people of another race than them.

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Anonymous #2 9w

Without changing the story, that’s the message that gets sent. Intentionally are not. The writes HAVE to acknowledge that, and address it in the series if they want it to be successful. I hope they do. I think it will be great if they do. I want them to very badly. But I really, really fear they won’t.

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Anonymous OP 9w

And obligatory, still didn’t answer my question and deflected again

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Anonymous #2 9w

Look, as a black actor, I’m just happy to see another black actor getting a job. Everyone talking down on this is super discouraging- especially from people claiming to be on our side.

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Anonymous OP 9w

I agree people attacking the actor are just straight up wrong and 99% likely bigoted. He’s a great guy, I think his work is great. Funny and really entertaining, and I hope he books a lot of big jobs after this. It’s not his fault at all. It’s just a bit disingenuous to deny there’s a huge potential for shitty and really problematic story telling to come out of the series if it’s not addressed. The HP franchise has a chance to do something great and I hope they take it

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Anonymous #2 9w

Sure.

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Anonymous OP 9w

To go into this overarching issue, I think HTTYD did a pretty good job of this for a recent example. They added to the story to explain their varying races in a meaningful way, and to expand the fictional story telling within this fantasy world to give their characters diversity and purpose. They didn’t just slap a poc actor in and ignore it. They made it purposeful and a wonderful addition to the film

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