With The Wiz recently airing live as a play, it began to stir up some controversy. The question being raised the most was “Why is there an all black cast?” The wiz stems from The Wizard of Oz (1939). The movie features a girl (Dorothy) on a journey to meet the wiz for help after a storm causes her and her dog to be displaced. Along the way she meets characters (scarecrow, lion and tin man) who also seek help from the wiz. During the time this was filmed, African Americans were still fighting for rights. There was no controversy surrounding the making of this movie. It is child friendly with catchy songs for children to sing along to. In 1978, The Wiz was created as an adaptation to the Wizard of Oz capturing the essence of African American experience. It retold the Wizard of Oz in context of African American Culture. It hides that it is relatable for all races. Children aren’t born with black vs white and racist thoughts. It is something learned. The films depict happy groups of friends on a journey.
“The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for FreedomThe Segregation Era (1900–1939).” The Segregation Era (1900–1939). N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
“The Wiz.” IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
This post is interesting and timely. It’s not really an example of Racial innocence. Indeed it might bee the opposite. Since the idea of racial innocence means that something that would be racially violent or divisive get covered by the idea of childhood innocence that must (we seem to assume) attend every aspect of child culture and child sociality.
Also what exactly are you citing from The Segregation Era text?