Current Events > Charlize Theron: It was hard to film Santa is white scene as a mom to black kids

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/charlize-theron-says-awkward-she-185810633.html

Charlize Theron is already earning Oscar buzz for her performance as Megyn Kelly in Bombshell, but the actress had doubts about accepting the role of the former Fox News anchor. In an interview with the New York Times, Theron described what she learned by playing Kelly in the film and said that friends had an "awkward" reaction to her gig. "It was definitely awkward," Theron explained. "In a weird way, the judgment [Megyn] gets from a lot of people, I felt on me a little bit. But up until four weeks into shooting, I was still grappling with who she was as a person, and it wasnt until I really zeroed in on that year and a half of the story that I could actually defend her."

Kelly was one of the many women to come forward accusing Roger Ailes, the longtime chairman of Fox News, of sexual harassment. The film walks a fine line, according to the New York Times, of portraying the journalist as sympathetic when it comes the harassment she faced, while also including her more controversial moments like when she insisted on-air in 2013 that "Santa just is white." "There are things she has said that Ive definitely had issues with, but it doesnt invalidate how I feel about her struggle," explained Theron. "Avoiding all of that stuff to get an emotional arc out of her character, I just didnt want to be a part of that." Theron continued, "By the way, if this was a movie about me and I hope nobody ever does one it would be filled with flaws and mistakes, and I wouldnt want somebody to take those things away. I really do believe that what she and those women went through was messed up, even though they work for a network that I highly have issues with." "I would imagine that as the mother of two black children, you didnt relish re-enacting her 'Santa is white' segment," remarked the New York Times reporter. "Thank you!" Theron "emphatically" replied. "Yeah, that was hard for me."

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Sweet Jiminy Christmas,

Now we have to make Santa black or multicultural because some Hollywood mom adopted black kids? Santa, as a character, is white. Or you can make him black. But it's hard to keep the Santa is real thing going if you have differing reports on what Santa looks like.

We could give Santa a friend who is black. (Hopefully a better one than Black Pete.) But then he or she would be copyrighted and disrupt the magic. Rudolph is technically under copyright, but they're not Scrooge enough to sue companies which sell unlicensed red-nosed reindeer ornaments at the Dollar Store.

The best way to celebrate diversity with Santa is by showing children or helpers of different ethnic groups. Or go the multiple Santas route. Or, if you want to block your kids from watching holiday specials altogether, you can go the Santa's Husband route (no, seriously, that is a thing) and just say that the jolly white guy is the husband of black St. Nick.

Not everything has to be an act of oppression just because a white guy is featured. On the other hand, I don't begrudge Black Santa either. He's appeared in some good shows and, if you look at historic depictions of the actual Saint Nicholas, he's of a darker complexion than most would expect. So, there's that.

Do what you want to do, they're your kids. But damn is this a bit silly.

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Shes so hot.

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There's female Santa now too

But no black female Santa as far as I know
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shes got a god complex

im so grateful i had a present father

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The next step is, Santa gets some soot on his face from going down a chimney, then our LGBT friendly Santa can be accused of wearing Black Face.

I vote we go full circle on this!!

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Imagine doing a movie where you play someone like Megyn Kelly, that makes her out to be the victim.
Her and those other women didn't deserve to be sexually harassed in that they are victims.
But they joined a network that sow hatred towards minority groups to make money, so fuck em.

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I fully expect @Skye_Reynolds to get modded for his post because it doesn't agree with the "white man bad" agenda.

Is he not?

Diversity is a good thing. I harp on how so many of Hollywood's movies' idea of strong female characters is this on-the-nose, "Hold up, stronk womyn comin' thru" approach, but I do appreciate that there are more opportunities for women and better characters than what there used to be. I'm glad that we have more movies with an ethnic minority focus. I've no complaints in that area. (And thank you for keeping Shaft as Richard Roundtree even if his family carry on the name for him. No remakes here. Just continuation.)

But it seems silly to get upset about someone claiming that Santa, as a character, is white. You know what the difference is between Superman and Santa? We don't tell our children that Superman is real. If the new Superman is black, the new Superman is black. If Santa is black, that's like telling children that Mr. Rogers is black or that John F. Kennedy was black. That is unless you're willing to admit to them that Santa might not be as real as previously reported.

If you treat Santa as a full-fledged fictional character, and that's how you raise your kids from the start, that's fine. But don't rain on somebody else's parade because they want solidarity in this conspiracy to say that a magical philanthropist figure is a white male.

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People thrive on this sort of bullshit somehow.

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Santa, like Jesus, is black.

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Skye Reynolds posted...

That is unless you're willing to admit to them that Santa might not be as real as previously reported.

Or...and hear me out....a fat magical entity that flies with reindeer, lives in the North Pole, that travels the entire globe in a 24 hour span can....change his appearance?

Kids are dumb. Magic can make anything happen. They'll believe it. You literally just have to say "Santa changes his appearance all the time so he can keep an eye out for the good children. Anyone can be Santa so make sure you be good!"

Like....it's the simplest thing in the world to do.

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Kastrada posted...

Or...and hear me out....a fat magical entity that flies with reindeer, lives in the North Pole, that travels the entire globe in a 24 hour span can....change his appearance?

But does that mean he's a black man in whiteface or a white man in blackface? It is a simple solution, but it also has its connotations.

I think multiple Santas is a better way to go. Of course, that brings about the problem of them being referred to as "Black Santa" and "White Santa."

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Are they going to go back and retcon Saint Nicholas and make him black too?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas

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Hairistotle posted...

Excellent Skye explosions itt

Just bored. I have about two long-winded posts in me per day. It doesn't necessary mean any emotional attachment to the subject at hand. I have to fix the blower motor on my car tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it. That's why I'm here, in this topic, discussing Santa's ethnic background.

What's your reason for stalking me? Repeated car troubles?

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Black Santas have been a thing for a good minute

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Santa is a fat bearded white guy because Coca Cola Co told you so.

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Skye Reynolds posted...

I think multiple Santas is a better way to go. Of course, that brings about the problem of them being referred to as "Black Santa" and "White Santa."

Also begs the question why does Black Santa only care about black kids and why does White Santa only care about white kids... It's not a solution at all. Actually might make things worse.

Skye Reynolds posted...

But does that mean he's a black man in whiteface or a white man in blackface? It is a simple solution, but it also has its connotations.

He's a magical being that transcends race. He just appears however he wants or whatever the person sees him as. Or her as. Santa is just Galactus with presents.

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Kastrada posted...

Santa is just Galactus with presents.

Okay, I wanna see this movie. <_<

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Who gives a fuck?

Oh yeah, out of touch celebs and CE regulars

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Abiz_ posted...

Also begs the question why does Black Santa only care about black kids and why does White Santa only care about white kids... It's not a solution at all. Actually might make things worse.

And, yeah, I agree. That would actually make it worse.

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I don't get this.

If you want to argue Santa should be played by a Greek actor since they seem to be really underused in Hollywood, sure.

But Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas are white, and so is Santa.

If you want to bring attention to different holidays, go for it. They are fun to hear about and there are plenty of them to be found.

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Charlie Theron has been in a bunch of movies where she shoots people or kills them in some other violent fashion.

Couldnt she just, maybe, explain to her kids that her job involves playing make-believe?

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Skye Reynolds posted...

Sweet Jiminy Christmas,

Now we have to make Santa black or multicultural because some Hollywood mom adopted black kids? Santa, as a character, is white. Or you can make him black. But it's hard to keep the Santa is real thing going if you have differing reports on what Santa looks like.

We could give Santa a friend who is black. (Hopefully a better one than Black Pete.) But then he or she would be copyrighted and disrupt the magic. Rudolph is technically under copyright, but they're not Scrooge enough to sue companies which sell unlicensed red-nosed reindeer ornaments at the Dollar Store.

The best way to celebrate diversity with Santa is by showing children or helpers of different ethnic groups. Or go the multiple Santas route. Or, if you want to block your kids from watching holiday specials altogether, you can go the Santa's Husband route (no, seriously, that is a thing) and just say that the jolly white guy is the husband of black St. Nick.

Not everything has to be an act of oppression just because a white guy is featured. On the other hand, I don't begrudge Black Santa either. He's appeared in some good shows and, if you look at historic depictions of the actual Saint Nicholas, he's of a darker complexion than most would expect. So, there's that.

Do what you want to do, they're your kids. But damn is this a bit silly.

Shut the fuck up with this clownery. We've had media and merchandise depicting Santa as black for decades

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Blue_Inigo posted...

We've had media and merchandise depicting Santa as black for decades

Fuck. First Justin Trudeau and now Santa?!

Why do these bastards get a pass?


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We're saying "Santa's Black" again!

I didnt even know this movie came out. But also Santa Claus is a fictional character. He can be black or white who gives a fuck
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bump

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It's silly that "Santa is just white" is the "Megyn Kelly is a racist ho-bag" moment of the film. Like, she's said some dumb things on the subject of race. Claiming that a character who has primarily been depicted as white for centuries "is just white" is not one of them.


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Santa is black. @SailorGoon

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how come santa gets to be black but i have to be white
shit's wack

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No shwartz pietr is black

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Why is Santa being white a problem anyways?

Santa isn't someone you want to become.
He is like the tooth fairy or easter bunny.

I get wanting God or Superman to be black, but Santa?

And Santa is based on a real life person so technically, he is Saint Nicholas' race.

Hmm I guess the point is to take kids to a mall where a black dude is dressing as Santa? Not sure why else him being white would matter.
But might as well just tell the kids your dad is Santa anyways. Then if your dad is black, so is Santa.

......wut
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