Black Hermoine: Stupefying Racistic Barriers

Harry Potter arguably overwhelms the largest fandom in Hollywood and it's latest upcoming west-end play 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' has cast it's wizardry upon the fans around the globe already. Interestingly, in December 2015 it was announced that Noma Dumezweni had been cast to play Hermione Granger in the play. She is a Laurence Olivier Award winner, presented for excellence in professional theater in London. Although, Rowling has previously said herself multiple times that the books never indicated what skin complexion many of the characters are having, and so this incarnation of Hermione is just as accurate as Emma Watson or any other imagining of her, the casting of Noma Dumezweni as Hermione in the theatre adaptation, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has delighted many fans and infuriated others.

                                                'So why a black Hermoine?'

Well, why not? In the Harry Potter books, the brilliant Hermione Granger is described as having frizzy, untamable dark hair, brown eyes, and protruding teeth, but more often is defined by her intellect and devotion to her friends. So even though she was played by the wonderful Emma Watson in eight massively popular Harry Potter movies, why shouldn’t Hermione be depicted as black?
Rowling’s books were always clearly aware of the magic world’s version of racism, and even eugenics, where wizards of “pure” blood were seen by some to be superior, and “mud bloods” like Hermione had to fight against prejudice. So making Hermione a woman of color isn’t just O.K. based on the book’s description; it makes even more sense given what her character goes through. Let’s face it, on Broadway eventually—it will be a chance to see a whole new side of a character they thought they already knew. How often does something that magical happen?

Ronald Weasley, Hermoine Granger, and Rose Granger from
the sets of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"

The writer of this series. J.K.Rowling was apparently overjoyed with the new casting of Hermoine Granger. She tweeted :- "Canon: Brown eyes, frizzy hair, and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermoine. :* "

The very fact that, actors like, Sir Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, Danny Glover, Morgan Freeman, Eddie Murphy, Whoopie Goldberg, Halle Berry, Angela Bassett and so on have given added colour in their own way to this affluent industry we all crave for, (and they are all black!) shows that it's not a situation out of place but it's your minds which are. Such racistic approach and prejudice have impaired the people in general from the fascination that's hidden in the world. In simple terms, people who are obstinate about the change are missing out to discern the diversity in the play. So, you either realize the meaning that the character brings out or sulk in your bigotry!

All the best Noma! Cast your like no wizard ever could!