Respecting Authenticity in Representation: Why Reimagining White Characters Isn’t the Answer
By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As an Iranian-American, ex-Muslim, and now a proud Christian conservative, I often think about what it means to honor and preserve cultural identities, especially in the world of media and entertainment. As someone who has witnessed the powerful value of preserving heritage and traditions, I believe there's a way to respect various cultures, including those of the Western European, North African, and West Asian heritage, without reshaping their narratives for the sake of diversity. While it's crucial to embrace inclusion, this doesn’t mean altering established stories and characters to fit a modern mold. Rather, creating original stories, inspired by unique cultures, would celebrate diversity more genuinely.
One of my favorite characters growing up was Blade, played with unmatched intensity by Wesley Snipes. Blade’s character embodies a powerful, uniquely African-American identity—a relentless vampire hunter bringing a different kind of superhero representation to the screen. The thought of replacing Blade with someone from a completely different heritage, like a white Iranian man such as myself, would disrupt the cultural authenticity that made him resonate so strongly. There’s something profoundly meaningful in characters who authentically represent their communities, history, and struggles. When stories are crafted with true-to-life representation, they resonate and bring a sense of pride and respect to the culture they represent.
In the same way, I think of classic European fairy tales and legends that have their roots in centuries-old traditions. These are stories born out of specific cultural experiences and histories—myths and legends that are deeply embedded in the European consciousness. When we take these stories and change fundamental aspects, such as replacing characters’ ethnic backgrounds or changing their roles to fit current trends, we risk distorting the essence of these tales. This isn’t to say that these stories are exclusive; anyone can appreciate and enjoy them. But their authenticity lies in their fidelity to the original cultural context. For instance, the concept of witches as “sisters” is often a part of European folklore, with cultural underpinnings tied to that particular heritage.
In the realm of fantasy, such as Tolkien’s Middle-earth, characters and their origins are not arbitrary—they are rooted in the historical and mythological underpinnings of Anglo-Saxon and Nordic tales. Replacing a character with someone of a different ethnicity does not add to the authenticity or respect for diversity; it creates a disconnect with the original intent. Instead of reimagining a character from such worlds, why not create an entirely new fantasy universe inspired by African, Persian, or Native American myths? Every culture has its own fascinating legends and archetypes, and the potential for new, culturally-rich stories is endless.
There’s also the issue of how casting decisions sometimes unintentionally reinforce stereotypes. A Black actress as an "evil witch" in a European-based fantasy story can feel problematic, and this role would feel forced and misplaced, given the traditional iconography and associations of witchcraft in Western lore. Instead of manipulating existing frameworks, which may seem artificial or even inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes, Hollywood should put its resources into exploring legends and narratives from various cultures in ways that remain faithful to their origins. Imagine a cinematic retelling of the life of Shaka Zulu with the authenticity of a fully African cast, celebrating African history and culture. Just as it would feel strange to see a white actor playing Shaka Zulu, it feels unnatural to re-cast established white characters with actors of different ethnic backgrounds, only for the sake of appearing inclusive.
Celebrating diversity doesn’t mean we have to “borrow” or reframe each other’s cultural icons. True diversity is about representation that honors each unique identity and the stories that define them. There’s a wealth of underrepresented tales from North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and indigenous America. Why not tell those stories, give a voice to those legends, and create new characters that future generations of diverse backgrounds can look up to?
In a world that increasingly celebrates authenticity, we should demand the same in our storytelling. Instead of reimagining classic tales and displacing the cultures from which they come, let’s forge new legends and heroes. Let’s create characters that young people from various backgrounds can look up to, characters who reflect their identities and celebrate their histories without erasing or altering the histories of others. True representation should add to the cultural landscape, not alter or erase the foundations laid by centuries of storytelling.
References
- Lewis, R., "Hollywood Diversity Problems: Are Race and Identity Really the Only Answer?", The Atlantic, 2019, https://www.theatlantic.com/hollywood-diversity
- Tompkins, J., "Recasting for Diversity: When It Works and When It Doesn’t," Forbes, 2021, https://www.forbes.com/recasting-diversity
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