So, was there racist subtext or not?

[jaguarr]

You can call them anything you like, they looked black. The messenger who is kicked into the well looked like a black person. The guy with the whip who got his arm sliced off looked very dark-skinned, and could have passed as black to some. King Xerxes looked black too, even though the actor who plays him looks like a white dude if you see him without his makeup. Why did they add all that dark makeup to the guy who played King Xerxes?

The guy who got kicked into the well was the only black person of the bunch. The other two were certainly Persian in appearance and, in fact, Xerxes was played by a Brazilian Latino actor, not a white dude. Again, you're looking for things that aren't there. And at any rate, why is it okay for Persians to be portrayed as oppressive, power-hungry, enslaving, land-grabbing tyrants but not black people? Sounds like a double standard to me. If you're going to b1tch about racism that isn't there, at least try not to have double standards about it. The story is based on historical accounts. No, this version is definitely not historically accurate as previously discussed, but there are certain aspects of it that are closer to reality than others. The fact was that the Persian army, both in reality and as depicted in the film, was massive and reflected the conquering and enslavement of MANY different cultures and races. Of COURSE the racial diversity of that fact was reflected in the film. There were also plenty of white people enslaved by the Persians and fighting on their behalf. Why aren't you complaining about that? It's okay to have slaves if you're a person of color? Is that your logic? Or is slavery just bad in general to you? Because nearly all the members of the Persian Army were basically slaves being forced to fight and die for something they didn't believe in. They were slaves of many different cultures, races and colors who had been conquered and enslaved by the Persians and forced to go into battle. How is that okay, but a bad guy with dark skin in the film instantly becomes "a black guy" to you even if he isn't and therefore the filmmakers are promoting a racist agenda?

jag

 

[cryptic name]

You can call them anything you like, they looked black. The messenger who is kicked into the well looked like a black person. The guy with the whip who got his arm sliced off looked very dark-skinned, and could have passed as black to some. King Xerxes looked black too, even though the actor who plays him looks like a white dude if you see him without his makeup. Why did they add all that dark makeup to the guy who played King Xerxes?

so...all dark skinned people look black to you?

 

[ILikeYourCoat]

The main characters are either white or blackish. The fact that the people in the army are of different colors is irrelevant. It's blackish people who are controlling the army, so no one is going to care who's actually in that army. And when there is one group of fighters who are wearing face masks to conceal their faces, that point is made even clearer. That's why this movie can be seen as having a racial subtext. I never said whether that is good or bad. Heck, after 4 decades of Hollywood making movies where the bad guys are always white and the good guys or victims are always people of color, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. Tit for tat. But I think the racial subtext should at least be considered. That's what movies are for, talking about!

 

[ILikeYourCoat]

so...all dark skinned people look black to you?

Well, they sure don't look white to me! LOL!

 

[jaguarr]

so...all dark skinned people look black to you?

Sounds like that's the case to me. That's pretty racist in of itself, actually. "All ya'll look alike!"

jag

 

[jaguarr]

so...all dark skinned people look black to you?

Well, they sure don't look white to me! LOL!

jag

 

[WeeZiTe]

Jag

 

[jaguarr]

Jag, you really aren't getting it. Only white people can be racist, you idiot.

Maybe in Bizarro World, but here in Reality Land it doesn't work that way.

jag

 

[ILikeYourCoat]

Jag, you really aren't getting it. Only white people can be racist, you idiot.

Actually, most racists are non-white.

 

[herakles]

ANYONE can be a racist JUST like ANYONE can be Ignorant, Educated, KindHearted, and Cruel!!!!!!

 

[Star]

Jag, you really aren't getting it. Only white people can be racist, you idiot.

thats complete bull****...

racism is present in WAY more people then just whites....


you're making yourself seem like the idiot with that comment

i've been called a 'stupid white *****' by countless natives .... so uh, what do you say to that? not racism, they arent white....

 

[jaguarr]

Did you people not really get that Weez was being sarcastic?

jag

 

[Star]

haha.. really? i definitely got all enraged because i thought he was serious...! haha

 

[Warhammer]

This is more angering than racial debates in the Community forum.
People just don't get it through their thick heads that this movie was based on a graphic novel.

Nivek's and WeeZiTe's need to be quoted on every page so these people who claim 300 was racist can read it.

 

[Warhammer]

ANYONE can be a racist JUST like ANYONE can be Ignorant, Educated, KindHearted, and Cruel!!!!!!

Actually, everyone is racist to some degree, whether we admit it or not.

 

[herakles]

you are correct in that statment! I was referring to people who have blind haterd of other soley based ethnicities, religions, etc.

 

[Mr. Socko]

The Rock should have been Xerxes. He would have been perfect.

Or Dennis Rodman.


Anyway, as for the movie being racists, all of the mutants, Quasi Mottos, and Immortals were not black so I guess this movie was racist against white people too right?

 

[blind_fury]

Dennis Rodman?

 

[Mr. Socko]

Yeah, you know, the tall black gay guy with all the piercings

In Frank's book Xerxes is real black

 

[blind_fury]

"300" is Birth of a Nation for the 21st century disguised as a sword and sandal movie.

White suprmacists are going to use this movie as propaganda for years to come.

 

[jaguarr]

"300" is Birth of a Nation for the 21st century disguised as a sword and sandal movie.

White suprmacists are going to use this movie as propaganda for years to come.

You cannot be serious.

jag

 

[GunBlade]

Get over yerselves.

 

[Mr. Socko]

Yeah, the movie had absolutely no association to a Greek and Persian battle.

I only saw racist and political parallels involving Bush and Iraq.

 

[jnpoe]

Xerxes was played by a Brazilian Latino actor, not a white dude.

I'm sorry , but I didn't understand ur commentary , are you saying that coz he is latin , he can't be white or something like ?
Nonetheless , Rodrigo Santoro may look with a darker skin on movies / tv , but this is I believe too much beach or something , try to look photos of his works in brazil , and u'll see he's got a cleaner skin . I should also mention that his father is italian , and his mother daughter of portuguese

 

[jnpoe]

The Rock should have been Xerxes. He would have been perfect.

You are kidding right ....... Nonetheless , even if it was serious , I mean Leonidas was supposed to be more build than Xerxes . the only intimidating thing of Xerxes besides his army should be his size