So I'm about to state an unpopular opinion and I need ya'll to hear me out completely before you try and kill me okay? Okay, here it goes:

I don't like people casting Zendaya as every black character on this planet

There, I said it. I said it and I need to explain, because I know everyone loves Zendaya and, hell, so do I, and I love that she's gaining so much attention and popularity and success, but I need everyone to acknowledge something because honestly, it's been bothering me.

There are more black women in their 20's than just Zendaya.

Listen, Karidja Touré and Alexandra Shipp had both gone out for the part of Storm in X-Men: Apocalypse. As we all know, Storm is a character with skin much darker than Alexandra, and while you can argue that maybe Alexandra was a better actress etc etc etc you have to acknowledge that Karidja was already at a disadvantage because she has much darker skin (and also Alexandra was unwilling to acknowledge the privilege she has and responded very negatively to the people trying to educate her and whatever that's not the point)

Colorism is a thing. Don't even argue that with me.

While I'm not too sure on who exactly has acknowledged this concept, I know that at least Amandla Stenberg has acknowledged the concept of the "paper bag test" which is that women whose skin is lighter than that of a brown paper bag have much more opportunity and advantage than women whose skin is darker (I want to say Lupita N'yongo and Zendaya have both acknowledged the struggle darker skinned women face in the industry, but I can't be positive, but I now Amandla has)

Point being, while I do love Zendaya, I'm tired of seeing her being fancasted for every black character on earth. Like, there are so many other talented black actresses out there, either overlooked or just waiting to be discovered, and I think Zendaya herself would agree with me when I say that we need to start branching out and opening our eyes, giving opportunities to women who already don't have a voice.

We don't need to silence them more by raising up a woman who would rather we raise up everyone equally.

So I'm not saying don't fancast Tom and Zendaya into literally every single goddamn thing in the world, do whatever the hell you want (though I can't say I'm not incredibly tired of it because that's all anyone can think to do anymore) but just keep in mind that there are like...other black women out and about in the world and as much as Zendaya deserves all the love and recognition she can get, we need to start opening our eyes to the other women in the industry who are being overlooked.

Thanks.