As is all too often the case, the internet needs to better utilize its Googling powers.
Just like when Kanye was blessed with getting to work with Paul McCartney and people fired off Tweets like “Wow. Kanye just put this Paul guy on the map,” the goobers of social media are now up in arms over the all-black version of The Wiz set to air on NBC tonight.
Because racism! And reverse-racism!
Lord, here we go again.
How about we take this to the next level?
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The Wiz, of course, is the landmark 1975 Broadway musical that has a killer 1978 film adaptation starring Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor, among others.
It was written to feature an all-black cast, and based on The Wizard of OZ.
That other musical also got a film version you might recall. It features an all-white cast.
But according to some very misguided Tweeters, NBC’s Wiz is totally racist.
Check out the logic:
Incredible. Just incredible.
h/t BuzzFeed
Alexis Barros
This is the new normal, like gun violence. Unfortunately since most sites I have seen blur the faces of those complaining, I’m under the assumption it’s probably the Millennial Generation that is offended by everything and doesn’t even know The Wiz is from the 70’s. Also probably slipped their easy distracted empty minds that an all white cast stared in The Wizard of Oz.
Charles Christner
Are you even kidding me right now what in the hell has this world come to when every day somebody somewhere finds something to get all worked up and offended over , when did we all become such whiny ass punks grow up people
Gothrykke
They probably think that the original was a mixed cast thanks to the ‘Flying African-Americans’.
James Gutting
They could have cast all white and painted them black
Greg Ballard
Lolololololololololol!!!!
Jeff Phillips
I believe the issue is that if someone cast a new version of the Wizard of Oz, which one could argue is traditionally an all white cast, and only used a white cast, people would complain about the lack of diversity; however, casting a new version of a traditionally all-black cast show like the Wiz with an all-black cast with no diversity is acceptable.
if Broadway or Hollywood want to cast diversely, we need to see more Hispanic, Indiam and Asian actors in all of the roles.
Rick Rosio
too stupid to breed….
Price JA
Really?
Randy Judd
Um…were they expecting an all Chinese cast? That would be the Wizar of ahhs.
It’s “The Wiz” fooo, not the all White “The wizard of oz”.
Jay Leo
Ignorance still runs rampant …
Billy Ventrca
Seriously? Jeez.
James Rumsey
Looks like the kinda movie I would actually watch.
David Wickham
anyone else want to take the first rocket to Mars with me? FFS people
Paul Rodgers
Ahhhh – t think it’s SUPPOSED to be all black – as in it was INTENDED to be the black version of the lily white Wizard of Oz – wtf
Cam
They already made an all white cast of the Wiz.
It was called “The Wizard of Oz”.
These rac-ists are so desperate to be victims that they end up looking both rac-ist AND stupid. IF one of them could explain WHY they consider it a personal attack on them that there is a movie with an all black cast, that would nice.
Next they will be outraged because Memoirs of a Geisha didn’t have any white people in it.
Beto Van
why blur the white faces of all the tweets?
Louie Mars
…and, it sucks.
Terry Simmons
They want equality. Then they got it.
Justin Weeks
Kinda true if white people did that it be all over the damn news
Nikki Louise Codner
I’ve just started a new page and blog on social equality issues. Check it out! http://www.facebook.com/amixedracefeministspeaks
Chris Miller
Lol !!
Blackceo
Good lord the stupidity these days. I just CANNOT!!!!!!!
Allie Pocket
well “the jizz” cast all gays, sooo…
Brandon Phillips
The original sucked and I’m sure this one will too. I really don’t care either way but I find it funny that everyone else can cry racism and discrimination but white people. Yes I get the point is its the blacks answer to the White oz, but that time has passed and if equality is truly what your after then start living under the same rules as everyone else.
Creig Stearne
You can’t have your cake and eat it to. You scream racism when shows don’t have enough diversity and then you produce an all black show. What did you expect. There is like only one white person in Empire. They have cast Asian, Black and White Billy Elliots in plays with a different colour father or brother. The person that the show is about is white. But they changed his colour for the plays, no issue. Had it always been white, as the person who the story is based on is white, people would have scream racism. So suck it up and throw a white or asian in your show!
Xzamilio
That kind of stupid doesn’t grow on trees… it’s an aggressive strain that needs to be weeded out… with people who understand that things existed long before them, that way they would understand things like “references” and “original”, instead of “triggering” and “social justice activism”
GQ83
@Gothrykke: @Gothrykke: Flying African Americans?
GQ83
@Jeff Phillips: I agree
Kevin Hupfer
people are stupid
mlbumiller
Oh…. so it was written for an all black cast……so why does it have to be all black. Black society bitches all the time that blacks should be placed in roles that are written for white actors, so how is this any different. This is a can crap black society has open, so now the roles are reversed you really need to eat crow and own up to it….. you shove it down everyone else’s every award season.
Barb Kipper
WHO CARES ??
Amaurys Arias
Seriously?
AJ Legault
Oh Puh-leeze!!!
Jeffrey Thomas
I’d like to cast a version of the Color Purple with an all Asian cast set in Chinatown.
Ron Zuniga
Ok time to get a life
Roger Honeycutt
Well they gripe over all white cast. What’s good.for the goose is good for the gander
DDstar1me
With all the crazy shit going on in the world how in the heck can they still be
so concerned with black and white issues. They need to worry more about being safe at work, school or anywhere in public now. Jesus every 2 minutes some NUTJOB is shooting up.
Kangol
The criticisms of The WIZ being all black are utterly AHISTORICAL! I mean, come on! There’s a reason that MOST Hollywood movies, most Broadway shows, etc. are predominantly white, and why people like Lin-Manuel Miranda try to change things by casting non-white actors. It’s not that hard to grasp, really, and BTW, this stage version of The WIZ does have white people involved in every step, including the white gay Harvey Fierstein!
@Randy Judd:Let’s watch it with the anti-Asian slurs, OK? No need to make a point about r@cism by engaging in r@cism. Please.
@Jeffrey Thomas: What is this with going in on Asians and Asian Americans? Stop it!
@Roger Honeycutt: Are you from Mars? Do you not realize why the original Wiz was created? Because the original Wizard of Oz was all white, and this is an r&b version with a black cast!
Kangol
@Justin Weeks: What are you talking about? There are all white or mostly white movies, all white or mostly white TV shows, all white or mostly white Broadway plays, and on and on! In 2015, with the US the most diverse it has ever been! All white book lists, all white ads in magazines, etc. Just. Stop. The. Stupidity. Please!
DDstar1me
Wow..online trolls continue to rule social media. The majority of them would never publically show their faces or say these things to a black person directly. Donald Trump maybe an a**hole, but he had the balls to say what he said openly. He isn’t voicing his blatant bigotry from behind a computer screen.
Gabe Lopez
Good to know that gay racists are just as stupid as straight racists.
Jeff E Mock
I’m looking forward to it!! Nothing was said about the sound of music with its all white cast.
Tony Chaplinski
don’t recall any complaints about an all white cast.
CCTR
@DDstar1me: That doesn’t make Trump nor his bigotry any better. These online trolls as you call them are entitled to their flawed opinions but when it comes to a presidential candidate the stakes are much higher. Ruling social media and ruling the country are drastically different. Trump shouldn’t be applauded for his audacity.
Queerty most likely blocked the faces to protect the posters, there followers probably saw their posts and pics.
CCTR
@Brandon Phillips: The original was awesome!
Bob LaBlah
It hasn’t aired just yet but yesterday morning the previews of what I saw has me wondering maybe a few of the roles were miscast.The “talent” search/casting appeared a bit shallow to me. I say no more but I do wish them luck and hope for the best.
Roxann Fraser
Good grief!
CCTR
@Kangol: I agree, sad that some people are taking cheap shots at asians, but it’s very common here for r@ce to be such a hot button topic that really gets the r@cists spouting off all types of crap.
Also it is very common for post about non-whites here to be laced with controversy.
Thanks for trying to educate. Some people seem to think that ALL roles are created for white actors “unless specified otherwise”.
CCTR
@Jeff E Mock: Didn’t the live NBC version have the wonderfully talented multi Tony award winning Audra McDonald in it? she isn’t white. I thought she was cast in it but I didn’t see it so I could be wrong.
SonOfKings
Well, the problem with Millennials is they have no understanding of history and why certain things came to be. That’s why they so often seem stuck on stupid. A few years ago, I saw an all female version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and the Millennials understood the purpose of that casting concept. They got it, then. Unfortunately, I think they’ve just become dumber since.
Jose Longoria Jr.
How fucking ridiculous!
bottom250
Ohhh my god how can they not know musicals.
Matt Achine
@Creig Stearne: Your analysis of Empire is flawed. Plenty of white characters have populated the show, far more than the “one” you inaccurately claim. Inclusion doesn’t automatically mean a lead role. Half the time they get story arcs that affect the entire plot, so no white person should ever bitch about that show. Lee Daniels has to work with white showrunners anyway. Furthermore, show me where there’s been a clamoring for inclusion in predominantly black stories. White viewers usually reject them outright anyway, so that’s bull. Empire may work for them because it reflects the hip-hop stereotypes that comfort them. But don’t lie that it’s exclusive to their detriment. This Wiz drama is merely a new version of the ass-backwards whine about BET, when minorities say they’re left out. “See, you people do it too,” it’s a common deflection. And quite weak at that. Unfortunately white people open themselves up to that criticism, creating content that supposedly represents society as a whole. As if society is only white like them. How many shows about NYC have had no people of color over the years? Tell it like it is. Even Tyler Perry routinely casts white actors in his shows, in big parts. Let’s not act as if white industry leaders didn’t create the divide decades ago.
moldisdelicious
folks don’t even know what racism means.
Matt Achine
@SonOfKings: It’s not just millennials. They had to be raised by elders who allowed them to be so stupid. All ages are complicit, as the internet proves time after time.
bottom250
Musicals are the sound track of my life
ingyaom
Call me when there’s an all-gay cast.
Desert Boy
The last 24 hours in Southern California have been awful. I, for one, plan to watch ‘The Wiz’ and I expect to enjoy it.
Rick Morgan
Why in the world is it necessary to remake the original for any reason WHATEVER
David G. Abler
Si-igh
dave lopes
It’s a combination of stupidity and historical ignorance.
I am of the negro race and I could not care less about the race of actors in works of fiction.
I care about good writing, an interesting plot and great acting.
Throwing in every colour of the rainbow in everything is silly and does not reflect reality.
Frankie Trice
That was what I liked about it, and I’m white. Black people have a rich culture to share; I’m sure there is room for it in the grand scheme of things. Let’s appreciate our differences rather than demand cookie cutter sameness all the time.
martinbakman
Is this just some fake buzz to remind us to watch? Personally I need to get my mind of the news.
Hopefully this effort by NBC will surpass prior live musicals. Sounds like they have actual talent this time, that should be able to sing live.
Bob LaBlah
Girl just lit up the screen with “Don’t bring me no bad news”. She is a tie with the late Mabel King.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQT-QFy5Nig
chinadad
What’s next? Complaints about “Porgy & Bess” having an all-black cast?
Bob LaBlah
The majority of you are too young to remember Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway in Hello Dolly ( I didn’t know about it until she died but I do have the whole play on a vynal album). It was one of the best all black cast remake ever done. Is was Carmen Jones with Dorothy Dandrige playing Carmen and ol’ Harry Belafonte. Here is Ms. April Showers channeling Pearl Bailey. Hope you enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvE_qQgMHfA
Bob LaBlah
@chinadad: That was funny. LOL Let’s hope not. On second thought let me stay the hell out…………..
Kris Kohl
Well if you really closely- it wasn’t an all black cast. There were several heritages represented and yes, there were some white folks.
David Harlem
I just finished watching it…I loved it. I hope it becomes an annual broadcast.
Steven Burr
It’s black story assholes, get over it. What about Rasins In The Sun???
Grayson Rouque
demetreus
@Frankie Trice: I agree!! Thank you.
demetreus
@Brandon Phillips: One day you will look back at your comment and you will be ashamed. Remember, the darkness you throw out will always find its way back to you.
Salvatore Licari
I thought is was good. Most Bdway shows up till the 70’s were mainly white so they needed to catch up at that time. Now we’re all even ty
Mark Bode
Never underestimate the ignorance of an uninformed, uneducated, opinionated American!!!
Dan Philip Rowlands-Barber
You cant please them all. I will stick to my dvd of the original Wiz with MJ and Diana ð???
Captain Obvious
That was a hilarious read. I wasn’t aware The Wiz actually made r@cists cry. Gonna ease on down the road laughing now.
demetreus
@Creig Stearne: Yikes! From the look of your picture, it looks you had your cake and ate a little too much of it.
demetreus
Anyone commenting on here and referring to African Americans as “THEY” needs a serious wake up call! Check your white privaledge at the door because you are still considered a minority in this country for being gay.
Alex Rothwell
Well, it’s suppose to be !
Realitycheck
t is a very complicated issue, and what surprises me is the never ending complains that blacks are not represented in the media, last I checked, now a day most athletes and singers are black, and compared to other ethnic groups blacks have more TV presence in shows and newscast then anyone else, same for magazines.
And today we do have plenty of high ranking militaries and CEO that are black as well as our president……..
And lets not start with the higher points system for black in schools, so wrong it is not even funny.
Bottom line the black community is gone from having nothing to getting a presence in every aspect of american life, and unfortunately they are still begging for more.
That is wrong.
And while blacks complains of r–ism, and yes there is a lot of it, blacks have become the most r–ist group in the USA.
Key words here, the black community needs to achieve; balance, promote more education, and roll up their sleeves and work hard to achieve anything more.
Because recognition is given by achievement.
And that is why the recent movement of Black lives matter is pretty much a flop, most american, for the first time ever, ever, have bicamed indifferent to blacks asking for equality, why? because at this point we have many more poor white then black.
And while we all complain about police brutality (and we all know terrorist have trigger that), most blacks have a serious problem with authority figures, blacks do not comply with police requests when stopped, and they get in to huge fights, often violent, and that is why the police has become overly aggressive with black, but you will not hear that from the black community.
Yet, blacks talking about discrimination and racism will not recognize this, it is the same exact way the black community attacks anyone from within the black community that wants to highlight the spread of HIV due to the “down low”, those honest and constructive individuals are quickly demonized and shut down, and people gets sick and die.
And lets not start with blacks obsessive and laughable need to wash history in black.
Jo Cortez
Alistair Wiseman
@demetreus:
Yes, thank you for the censorship and speech code reminder.
Is the kool-aid delicious?
JerseyMike
@Frankie Trice: Bravo…
Cam
@Realitycheck:
You will have to point out where blacks are the majority in any major Hollywood release, because you claim they are represented more than anybody. Please point me to the recent best picture nominations and let me know which had an all black cast ok?
It’s funny how you consider yourself a victim if anybody else gets something that you weren’t going to get anyway.
You are a victim because they cast black people in a movie you wouldn’t be in, you are a victim if a black guy is in a sports team you wouldn’t have made. Keep crying.
Tackle
@Realitycheck: What’s not complicated is that anyone can see how ignorant, and uneducated you are. You need to give yourself a
“Realitycheck” and work on your (grammar) spelling, sentence structure, punctuation and more, before trying to sound off with a critique on what’s wrong with black people. And I’m sure that whites don’t not want someone like you, speaking, or trying to write for them. And what’s so laughable, is that in the middle of your letter, you write about the black community needing to promote more EDUCATION: damn! You of all people telling blacks they need to “promote more education”. LOL….
RIGay
Out thoughts and prayers go out to these individuals…
(yes, that was a snarky comment)
tdh1980
As I said in another comment about another story featuring r@cist white people doing and saying r@cist things, they always want to be an oppressed minority until it come time for actually being treated like an oppressed minority.
Franklin
So let me get this straight. Black people talk about their lack of representation in American media, and the response is ” Stop bitching about it and make your own”. We then go and make are own, all of a sudden it becomes, “You can’t do that!”. Ummm, we’re just doing what you told us to. Make up you minds.
Ogre Magi
@Gothrykke: You have the manners of a boy cow’s dingle dangle.?
Captain Obvious
@Franklin: You do realize the Wizard of Oz was and still is a whites only affair right? The Wiz was created for black people by black people.
Where is this line of white people who WANT to be on black shows(not counting Empire)? Black people have always welcomed white people who want to unite with us.
Any wow I just noticed all the ugly r@cist comments under the article. You people should really be ashamed. Even noticed a monkey comment made by a monkey. At least it’s popcorn worthy.
Franklin
@Captain Obvious: Thanks Captian Obvious. Read what I said again though. I said I think it’s crazy that some white people are always telling black people to stop complaining about representation and create their own media, and then when they do go out and exactly do that, like making the Wiz, white people lose their minds.