A very common response when it is suggested that the wwe in particular does not utilise talent of African American ethnicity. I've heard it from austin and jim ross. And of course many people on this forum.
This is the same thought process applied back when Hollywood was a little more overtly racist. Not enough skilled black folk means less black folk on the screen right?
If pro wrestling was not a work, it most likely would be dominated by African American athletes as is the case with most top sports in America. This is because it's not about casting a character- it's about skills and ability. The wwe get to cast you regardless of your ability- the criteria is far more flexible and down to discretion.
So with anything creative- music, movies, plays, novels etc- nothing is a technicality. It's driven by a vision that whoever is directing will be sure to capture.
Vince McMahon has conservative values he does not shy away. He consigns bigots like Donald Trump.
When in a creative field it's incredibly difficult for the artist to segregate their own philosophies from the art itself.
So if your agenda is promoting a white American super hero, who over comes the odds (hulk hogan, john cena) then why would you consider a self-identifying black person fit for such a roll? The reason I say "self-identifying" is because I don't care if YOU claim the rock is black- it is he who never cared to represent or identify as a black man during his time at the top.
He was the member of the nation that broke out as a star but he was also the member of the nation with the least distinctive African features- thus making him "safe" enough to run with. But he was never cast as the great American hero (hogan, cena). The other members had far worse to deal with (pimp, gambler, womaniser and pretending to be Sikh)
Then you have the problematic booking of the nation being heels when they initially made very true and honest arguments. Dx were obnoxious, sexist and racist but booked as faces...
Despite the very real racial heat members of the nation received from Michaels and triple h- they continue with this. Ultimately coming out in black face. Something that hasn't been remotely socially acceptable for over a century at that point. This would not be the last time.
Goldust faced 2 cold Scorpio (flash funk- another racist gimmick) while goldust wore blackface and an Afro wig. Then rikishi wears blackface in 2002 in that awful hla segment.
Can anyone justify any of this? It's not down to sensitivity. Controversy can be entertaining. But in a scripted show there must be a moral to it. Something of value.
Like triple h and booker t's fued in 2003. If it had been unscripted- no one could argue that it was racist, it was just a sad end to a heated rivalry. But there was a writer(s) behind it- it was a scripted story with an outcome in the hands of creative. How do you justify triple h's racism in the story if he is not proven wrong? And goes on to win without any repercussions? Black people are only good for dancing?
Before people mention Henry or booker's run as champ- they were both HEELS. Vince is not casting a black man as a face champion for a reason. They even wanted Henry to take on a gorilla gimmick- seriously?
When people say Lashley wasn't ready or Shelton sucked on the mic- do you choose to ignore roman reigns headlining wrestlemania with less mic and in ring skills than both of them? Do you think he would have headlined wrestlemania with the skills he had at the time if he were black? I doubt it. Xavier woods outshines him in both but will never attain anything close. Jeff hardy and psycho sid suck on the mic but still held world titles.
Then look at ring of honor.
Black world champion who elevated the TV title at the same time.
While jay lethal is a heel he is not a racial stereotype in any form.
Their roster has some of the best black pro wrestlers who want nothing to do with the wwe for a good reason. Cedric Alexander, ACH and moose have charisma and incredible in ring skills. But in wwe cedric and ach would be booked like Kofi.
The point is- claiming there is not enough black wrestlers on top because not enough black people wrestle is a poor argument. Rock music is not primarily made by white people but it is marketed as such. But if you always target your music to that white demographic you will have more white fans, eventually more white people making that music. Guess which ethnicity loves "how I met your mother"? How many black people are in the leading cast? Then compare that to "my wife and kids" which has an all black leading cast.
If you don't book any black wrestlers as dominant and successful faces then black children won't relate to it. It's not an accident. It's not by chance. It's how media works.
This is a real issue and pretending it doesn't exist only makes it worse.
Mods please don't close this- I've made many valid arguments that will hopefully motivate a healthy discussion and will encourage critical thought when it comes to wwe as a creative show.
This is the same thought process applied back when Hollywood was a little more overtly racist. Not enough skilled black folk means less black folk on the screen right?
If pro wrestling was not a work, it most likely would be dominated by African American athletes as is the case with most top sports in America. This is because it's not about casting a character- it's about skills and ability. The wwe get to cast you regardless of your ability- the criteria is far more flexible and down to discretion.
So with anything creative- music, movies, plays, novels etc- nothing is a technicality. It's driven by a vision that whoever is directing will be sure to capture.
Vince McMahon has conservative values he does not shy away. He consigns bigots like Donald Trump.
When in a creative field it's incredibly difficult for the artist to segregate their own philosophies from the art itself.
So if your agenda is promoting a white American super hero, who over comes the odds (hulk hogan, john cena) then why would you consider a self-identifying black person fit for such a roll? The reason I say "self-identifying" is because I don't care if YOU claim the rock is black- it is he who never cared to represent or identify as a black man during his time at the top.
He was the member of the nation that broke out as a star but he was also the member of the nation with the least distinctive African features- thus making him "safe" enough to run with. But he was never cast as the great American hero (hogan, cena). The other members had far worse to deal with (pimp, gambler, womaniser and pretending to be Sikh)
Then you have the problematic booking of the nation being heels when they initially made very true and honest arguments. Dx were obnoxious, sexist and racist but booked as faces...
Despite the very real racial heat members of the nation received from Michaels and triple h- they continue with this. Ultimately coming out in black face. Something that hasn't been remotely socially acceptable for over a century at that point. This would not be the last time.
Goldust faced 2 cold Scorpio (flash funk- another racist gimmick) while goldust wore blackface and an Afro wig. Then rikishi wears blackface in 2002 in that awful hla segment.
Can anyone justify any of this? It's not down to sensitivity. Controversy can be entertaining. But in a scripted show there must be a moral to it. Something of value.
Like triple h and booker t's fued in 2003. If it had been unscripted- no one could argue that it was racist, it was just a sad end to a heated rivalry. But there was a writer(s) behind it- it was a scripted story with an outcome in the hands of creative. How do you justify triple h's racism in the story if he is not proven wrong? And goes on to win without any repercussions? Black people are only good for dancing?
Before people mention Henry or booker's run as champ- they were both HEELS. Vince is not casting a black man as a face champion for a reason. They even wanted Henry to take on a gorilla gimmick- seriously?
When people say Lashley wasn't ready or Shelton sucked on the mic- do you choose to ignore roman reigns headlining wrestlemania with less mic and in ring skills than both of them? Do you think he would have headlined wrestlemania with the skills he had at the time if he were black? I doubt it. Xavier woods outshines him in both but will never attain anything close. Jeff hardy and psycho sid suck on the mic but still held world titles.
Then look at ring of honor.
Black world champion who elevated the TV title at the same time.
While jay lethal is a heel he is not a racial stereotype in any form.
Their roster has some of the best black pro wrestlers who want nothing to do with the wwe for a good reason. Cedric Alexander, ACH and moose have charisma and incredible in ring skills. But in wwe cedric and ach would be booked like Kofi.
The point is- claiming there is not enough black wrestlers on top because not enough black people wrestle is a poor argument. Rock music is not primarily made by white people but it is marketed as such. But if you always target your music to that white demographic you will have more white fans, eventually more white people making that music. Guess which ethnicity loves "how I met your mother"? How many black people are in the leading cast? Then compare that to "my wife and kids" which has an all black leading cast.
If you don't book any black wrestlers as dominant and successful faces then black children won't relate to it. It's not an accident. It's not by chance. It's how media works.
This is a real issue and pretending it doesn't exist only makes it worse.
Mods please don't close this- I've made many valid arguments that will hopefully motivate a healthy discussion and will encourage critical thought when it comes to wwe as a creative show.