The Fear of Black Greeks

The reaction to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is a stark reminder that some people would rather see art sacrificed on the altar of ideology than allow it to challenge their prejudices. Far-right pundits have criticized the film for its casting choices, particularly the inclusion of Black and trans actors. But this backlash is not just about the film; it’s about rewriting history and culture in the image of white supremacy.

This reaction betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of what art and history represent. When people like Elon Musk, Stephen Miller, or Megyn Kelly decry the casting of Black actors in The Odyssey, they’re trying to impose their own twisted narrative on the collective cultural heritage of humanity. They see the classics as exclusively the province of white people, and anyone who dares to challenge this notion is deemed an “anti-white racist” or worse.

This phenomenon has taken on a more sinister tone in recent years. We’ve seen it time and again: Black actors are cast in historical dramas or fantasy films, only to face backlash from right-wing pundits who claim that they’re “stealing” roles meant for white people. In reality, this is about maintaining the status quo of racial hierarchy, even when history suggests otherwise.

The idea that ancient Greece was solely the domain of white Europeans has been debunked by scholars and historians for decades. Yet it persists in the collective imagination of right-wing ideologues. They claim to revere “Western civilization,” but what they really mean is a whitewashed version of history that erases the contributions of people of color.

These are the same people who speak proudly of their ancestors, as if they were directly responsible for building the pyramids or painting the Sistine Chapel. Newsflash: they weren’t. They won the lottery of being born in a rich country with a legacy built by countless others.

When we talk about “Western civilization,” do we mean the accomplishments of ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians? Or do we mean the exclusive preserve of white people who imagine themselves as the heirs to these cultures? The far right would have us believe that it’s the latter, and they’ll stop at nothing to enforce this myth.

The reaction to The Odyssey is a symptom of a larger disease: the attempts by the far right to rewrite history and culture in their image. This is not just about art or film; it’s about power. They want to control the narrative, dictate who gets to be represented and how. But this will only lead to further polarization and erasure of marginalized voices.

As we watch the spectacle unfold, let us remember that art has always been a reflection of humanity in all its complexity and diversity. The classics are not just white artifacts; they’re our collective inheritance. And when we try to impose our own narrow vision on these works, we’re not honoring their legacy – we’re betraying it.

The far right’s ideology is a Trojan horse that seeks to infiltrate every aspect of our lives, including art and culture. But we must resist this attempt, standing firm against the erasure of marginalized voices and the imposition of white supremacy on history and culture.

The far right has been attempting to erase people of color from history and art for decades. From the 1980s onward, there’s been a concerted effort to whitewash American history, erasing the contributions of African Americans, Native Americans, and other marginalized groups. This is not just about education or representation; it’s about power.

The far right’s attempt to impose its own narrow vision on art, history, and culture is what we mean by “the white gaze.” When people like Musk or Miller decry the casting of Black actors in The Odyssey, they’re reinforcing a cultural narrative that privileges white perspectives above all others.

From Homer’s The Iliad to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, classical literature has always reflected humanity in all its complexity. But when we try to erase people of color from these works, we’re not just whitewashing history – we’re erasing our own collective legacy.

As we watch the far right attempt to rewrite art and history in their image, let us remember that this is not just about culture or education – it’s about power. What kind of country do we want to be? A nation that values diversity, inclusivity, and complexity, or one that seeks to impose its own narrow ideology on all aspects of life?

The far right’s attempt to erase people of color from history and art is not just an American phenomenon; it’s a global one. From Europe to Asia, we see the same pattern emerging: attempts to impose white supremacy on art, culture, and history.

As we conclude this piece, let us remember that art has always been a reflection of humanity in all its complexity. The classics are not just white artifacts – they’re our collective inheritance. And when we try to erase people of color from these works, we’re not just whitewashing history – we’re betraying it.