[Other Sport] Superbowl LIX

[Herr Tubthumper]

DEI was advanced as a means of introducing balance to offer opportunities to people (from now on I’m going to refer specifically to performers, because that’s my area of expertise) from backgrounds different to the majority. So, for instance, if the majority population of a country/city/town/fanbase is white, straight and able-bodied, but has a percentage of black/Asian/disabled/trans people, the idea is that those people get to see people like them represented on stage/screen.

The reality is that a body, organisation or production chooses to adhere to DEI principles of their own definition. Another reality is that Britain has followed in America’s footsteps in many groups (both American owned and British) opting to follow DEI principles.

So if for example, an organisation like Thee Black Swan Theatre Group, who present work by black artists for primarily audiences wish to, they can simply make their DEI policy about exclusively black representation. And they do. Which completely defeats the entire point of DEI and makes it considerably more racially unbalanced than open casting/hiring.

If a production company has a strong belief in hiring disabled performers, for instance, they can over-represent disabled performers in line with their own intended values or mission statement.

DEI can be, in and of itself, advancement of whatever the vested interest of the production company desires. Naturally, this does not apply to the majority - which in this country and America are white able-bodied heterosexuals.

Some shows, like Hamilton on Broadway, are heavily stylised with real life people being cast what we call in the business “colourblind”. Characters are specified by race in the casting calls; King George is always white. Alexander Hamilton and the majority are always black. Despite this, there are very strict “both ways” ratios that the Actors’ Equity Association have negotiated with Broadway theatres, which specifically prevent all white, all black or all Asian casts.

An enormous number of shows, films and other media now use “colourblind casting” as the ethos when it comes to the advancement of minorities, be they trans, disabled or of a non-white race, regardless of suitability for the part. This is because audiences are expected to accept changes as being in line with modern societal representation.

But when casting and hiring for balance, fairness and representation, DEI has done an enormous amount of harm in many cases.

For example, Disney have had to delay their finished remake of Snow White, following poor press after the Seven Dwarves were axed from the movie (that is to say, the decision not to hire actors with Dwarfism - people who are very pissed off with this rare chance to make Disney money in a huge feature film). And of course there’s Snow White herself, being played by a dark skinned Latina performer.

In fact, at Diana: The Musical, Princess Diana herself was played by a black British actress, in order to fulfil DEI targets set by that production company. It’s worth noting actually that the number of black performers in traditionally white roles is through the roof. Including those of real people, living or dead. Quite rightly, a white actress would never even be seen for audition to play the lead in the Tina Turner musical, though. Colourblind casting would be very inappropriate.

As for Kendrick Lamar’s show, it was produced by Roc Nation, which is Jay-Z’s company and they have produced it since 2019. He chairs the selection committee. If his company chooses to implement DEI casting in line with what they deem fair DEI representation, they can absolutely do that.

But it wouldn’t be DEI, would it? It would be advancement.

When the story of the founding fathers of their nation can be ascribed to be permanently cast by POC’s because it’s representative, but then at the biggest sporting event of the year for the country, you can wave off an all black cast because it’s “telling a black story”, then it’s not inclusive. It’s hypocrisy.

I guess as DEI has been disbanded there’s no chance of me crip-walking during the half-time sing song anymore?

 

[Hotchilidog]

To add some things that are missed in the performance:

1. Samuel L Jackson playing Uncle Sam (aka the house ni**ga) like he played in Django.
2. Opening with "you chose the right time but the wrong guy" to talk about recent voting.
3. Samuel L Jackson warning Kendrick to play the game white America wants us to play and not be “ghetto”
4. The Squid games stage which symbolizes the rich killing the poor.
5. The dancers in Red White & Blue representing the American flag which was on either side of Kendrick to symbolise the country being divided.
6. The stage also being a prison yard where his black performers harmonized while he rapped.
7. Protecting black women like Serena Williams and SZA after the disrespect from Drake
8. And once again reminding Drake and America “They Not Like Us"
9. Ending the show saying "Turn your TV off" also a powerful statement

I completely get all this, but unless you are a fan of the music it just goes over your head. Kendrick is just not my bag, I think some of the imagery was excellent but I refuse to get excited about the spat with Drake. It all seems very juvenile for me.

I really hope Jay-Z's contract with NFL is. up soon as the Snoop/Dre/Eminem HT aside his productions have been really dull.

Whilst I too would have been bored during Kendrick's show I am pleased it seemed to have triggered some bad people.

 

[jcdenton08]

I guess as DEI has been disbanded there’s no chance of me crip-walking during the half-time sing song anymore?

Is that a “thank for you the insight”?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Is that a “thank for you the insight”?

I appreciate the time you spent typing that....iinteresting but 'm not sure I agree with it all.