People Think 'The Wiz Live!' is Racist. Twitter Says, 'Huh?'
#TheWiz is trending on Twitter right now, but not just because NBC will air “The Wiz Live!” tonight at 8 pm EST. No, it’s a big deal because people have been tweeting that the show is “racist.”
I just learned there is a black version of The Wizard of Oz called "The Wiz" - how is this not racist?
— Evan (@MJTM) November 23, 2015
Can you imagine the outrage if a show advertised an "All White Cast"?! But #TheWizLive is getting praised for having an "All Black Cast"...
— Melly (@4princessmel) November 27, 2015
Want to point out that #TheWizLive has changed cast to all black actors yet there's no outrage from the whites. #BlackLivesMatter Just sayin
— Jeff Kelso (@boottapper) December 1, 2015
Yup. From pointing out that “The Wiz” has a 40-year history, to reminding them that “The Wizard of Oz” exists, the Tweeps are not having that. The shots have been coming fast and from all directions:
"Changed" cast, huh? Look at you being dumb as rocks while Google is available. @boottapper pic.twitter.com/ksXEzg6Kws
— Gifted Hands™ Grans (@GranspearZX) December 2, 2015
RT@90s_Jess: This is how I feel. Remaking something with an all-black cast seems...a tiny bit racist. #TheWiz pic.twitter.com/ItiJc98e8K
— Glitter Pussy (@OHTheMaryD) November 28, 2015
WAIT..people are REALLY mad about #thewiz? saying.. "what if the cast were all white, that's racist"...Ummm. Pardon? pic.twitter.com/2xebuS5GEg
— NT (@nikkitaliaferro) December 3, 2015
Dear Internet, There IS an all white version of The Wiz. It's called "The Wizard of OZ." Going to the hospital now from my facepalm injury.
— Chris Thompson (@supricky06) December 3, 2015
If white ppl think it's racist that The Wiz is an all black cast, we think it's racist when y'all play as Egyptians, Indians, Asians, etc.
— queen. (@ShontiMF) December 3, 2015
@YonnieTaughtU @chasehoganjone1 "the wiz is the most racist thing I've ever seen" is the most sheltered/privileged white person quote ever.
— Juan J. Arroyo (@juanjoarroyo23) November 27, 2015
"Why is there an all-black cast for #TheWiz?" "If there was an all-white cast, it'd be racist." pic.twitter.com/f3m83rNRUw
— Jazz (@_AfroJazz) December 3, 2015