Green Lantern and the “Brown Paper Bag Test”
A psychological deconstruction of judgement
What is the function of judgement? It is to label something, based on a criteria, in order for one to know how to treat something.
It is done so that you know what and who is safe or correct, and what and who is unsafe or incorrect.
Inherently, this is fine. In fact, it is necessary in order for us to weigh up options and for us to come to a safe and correct choice. However, the problem begins when you see someone who is unsafe or incorrect and then resent them for being unsafe or incorrect.
People are split in their opinion on the recent casting of the Green Lantern. Some believe that actor Aaron Pierre is not dark-skinned enough for the role, and that Hollyweird is once again white-washing dark-skinned people from the big screen.
It’s the brown paper bag test and Aaron Pierre appears to have passed, (or failed depending on who you ask). But is the judgement of the naysayers a problem? Well, what are the criteria to play Green Lantern?
You need to be able to act because if you can’t, what’s the point of hiring you as an actor? You need to be black as the white Green Lanterns of the past aren’t fan favourites. In fact, creator Neal Adams pushed for the character to be…
