White actors are stepping down from voicing black characters

Over the last week, white actors that voice black characters on animation shows have been resigning, saying that people of color should play characters of color. Mike Henry, the voice behind Family Guy’s Cleveland Brown announced on twitter that after 20 years, he will be stepping down from the role. Actress Jenny Slate who plays made an announcement via her instagram page. She said “black characters on an animated show should be played by black people.” Creators of the show Big Mouth also released a statement, apologizing for their original decision to cast a white actress.

The day after Jenny’s announcement, Kristen Bell also announced on her instagram page that she will be leaving her role as Molly, a mixed character on the show Central Park. The announcement stated she will still be apart of the show but will take on a new role as they find a black or mixed actress to cast as Molly. 

Producers of the Simpsons announced they will stop using white actors to voice non white characters. The Office has removed a scene from an episode of Season 9 where one of the characters engages in blackface. The old version of the episode has already been removed from Netflix. Episodes of the shows 30 Rock and Golden Girls have been pulled from streaming services for featuring blackface.

It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role. pic.twitter.com/FmKasWITKT

— Mike Henry (@mikehenrybro) June 26, 2020

This is a time to acknowledge our acts of complicity. Here is one of mine. Playing the character of Molly on Central Park shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege. Casting a mixed race character with a white actress undermines the specificity of the mixed race and Black American experience. It was wrong and we, on the Central Park team, are pledging to make it right. I am happy to relinquish this role to someone who can give a much more accurate portrayal and I will commit to learning, growing and doing my part for equality and inclusion.