What do you think of all the "brownface" accusations that people are throwing at The 100?
Well first, let’s define what brownface is:
“White actors pretending to be members of darker complected races/ethnic groups such as Mestizo Hispanics, Amerindians (sometimes called “Redface”), Indians, Inuits or Middle Easterners. This is often done with makeup or tanning. Hair dye may also be used.” (x)
Brownface refers to the creation and propagation of racist Latino/Hispanic stereotypes and caricatures. “Latino” is the umbrella term for people of Latin American descent that in recent years has supplanted the more imprecise term “Hispanic.” (x)
So brownface, like blackface, is the practice of using makeup and/or tanning to effectively “change” the ethnicity/race of an otherwise white actor (or make them racially ambiguous). Usually to portray a caricature of said race. Also a problem because this practice takes away jobs from actual actors of color.
So, are any characters on The 100 doing this? lol let’s be real, you’re asking me about Lexa.
Do I think the costume department tried to “change” the ethnicity of Alycia via makeup and tanning? No. However, It would be very debatable if the grounders were presented as people of color only, but there’s white grounders as well.
Is Lexa a caricature or does she portray one or more racial stereotypes? Doesn’t seem like it to me.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
ps. don’t get me wrong, this show is problematic for a list of reasons, but i don’t think this is one of them.