colorwashing

using a person of color to portray a white character

James Olsen in the Supergirl TV show is an example of colorwashing because he is a white character portrayed by a black actor

by ZZydrate17>40 July 8, 2019

Colorwashing

In film and TV when historically or canonically white characters are portrayed by people of color for the sake of diversity. This does not fall under the scope of "colorblind casting" because though colorwashing is accepted and even encouraged in the industry, the reverse (casting white people into historically or canonically people of color roles) is extremely frowned upon.

Jack: "Hey, did you hear that they're gonna cast a black James Bond?"
Tom: "Yeah, it's just a bunch of colorwashing."

by md552 January 29, 2022