My Take on POC Male Leads
As I've been constantly saying, diversity in entertainment has seen significant strides in recent years, with a notable increase in the representation of women of color in leading roles. This progress, while commendable, often follows a specific pattern: the pairing of women of color with white men, particularly in romantic narratives.
What actually drew me to realize this is the popular show Bridgerton, which recently released its third season. I have been furiously devouring this show lately, and it includes several male leads and love interests who are men of color. Upon further reflection, I realized that having men who are not white take up such "important air" so rarely occurs.
In fact, when a person of color plays such a significant role, they always seem to need a white love interest. I understand that a lot of this is due to Western media, as the audience is mainly white people. However, they are capable of switching things up. All types of pairings and all kinds of people can be represented. But right now, we should match the energy women of color have been receiving and channel it toward men of color.
Think about it. Common and recent shows that feature a woman of color alongside a white man include One Day at a Time, To All The Boys I've Loved Before, Ginny & Georgia, My Life with the Walter Boys, and Wednesday. A few movies that follow this pattern are the newest Hunger Games movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Dune, and the remake of The Little Mermaid.
That list is just crazy—crazy to see how far the media has come with the inclusion of women of color but also crazy due to the blatant lack of men of color. Now, think about five mainstream and significant movies or shows with the male lead or love interest as a man of color. I mean the main guy, not just one of the love interests or sidekicks for whom no one truly roots. (Even Jacob, with his whole werewolf persona, didn't get the girl in Twilight.)
While this shift marks a positive change in terms of visibility for women of color, it simultaneously highlights an ongoing issue—men of color are rarely afforded the same opportunities to shine as romantic leads or dual main characters. This discrepancy raises important questions about the broader scope of representation and the inherent biases that persist in the entertainment industry.
And I know, not just think, that the reason for this is because the portrayal of men of color in media has historically been marred by stereotypes and limited character types. For many years, men of color were often relegated to roles that depicted them as villains, sidekicks, or individuals bound by their ethnicity's perceived societal roles. These portrayals have deep roots in historical biases and racism, which continue to influence casting decisions today. When men of color are consistently shown in these limited capacities, it reinforces a narrow view of their capabilities and desirability.
Historically, men of color have been portrayed in ways that strip them of their masculinity and desirability. Black men, for instance, have often been depicted as either hyper-aggressive and dangerous or as servile and comic relief, rarely as romantic leads. Asian men have frequently been characterized as either asexual or effeminate, a stereotype that has roots in early 20th-century portrayals and persists in modern media.
These stereotypes contribute to the perception that men of color are inherently less attractive or less desirable as partners. They are often not given the same opportunities to be seen as multifaceted individuals with romantic and sexual appeal, which white male characters routinely enjoy.
When men of color are portrayed as attractive, there is an implicit expectation that they must meet an exceptionally high standard of physical attractiveness. This contrasts sharply with the broader range of appearances accepted for white male leads, who can be considered desirable without needing to exhibit perfect physical traits. For example, actors like Idris Elba or Henry Golding, who are celebrated for their looks, often conform to a very narrow and conventionally attractive mold—tall, muscular, and traditionally handsome. This sets an unrealistic standard for men of color, suggesting that only those who meet these stringent criteria are worthy of romantic interest or leading roles. I think this deeply connects to the idea of Eurocentric beauty, and what people want in the media and what they don't want to see.
The emasculation and stringent attractiveness standards for men of color in media have significant cultural and social repercussions. These portrayals can influence how men of color view themselves and their self-worth. Young men of color may feel pressured to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty and masculinity, impacting their self-esteem and mental health. Moreover, these portrayals affect how society at large perceives men of color. By consistently presenting them as either unattractive or only attractive under exceptional circumstances, media reinforces harmful biases and contributes to the marginalization of these groups. This can perpetuate stereotypes in real-world social interactions, such as in dating and professional environments, where men of color may be unfairly judged based on these ingrained perceptions.
One reason for the frequent casting of white men alongside women of color in romantic leads is the entrenched notion that white male protagonists are a "safer" bet for mass appeal. Hollywood, as a major driver of global media, often prioritizes marketability and international box office appeal. There is a pervasive, though unfounded, belief that audiences are more likely to relate to and support films with white male leads. Moreover, there's a fear that people won't watch a movie if they don't find the main lead attractive. As much as I hate it, it's a known thing that Hollywood tends to cast extraordinarily beautiful people. Or at least, if they are a person of color, they have to be extremely beautiful—they could never be "average" or typical in the way white people can be. That's the truth. This cautious approach limits the opportunities for men of color to take on these prominent roles.
Another part of this issue stems from the exoticization and fetishization of women of color in the media, which leads to more opportunities for them in romantic leads compared to men of color. The pairing of a woman of color with a white man can be seen as an "acceptable" form of diversity—one that introduces some level of ethnic variety without straying too far from traditional Hollywood norms. This dynamic allows for the incorporation of diversity while still centering whiteness, particularly white male perspectives and experiences.
A side note, which I want to discuss later but isn't the main idea for this post, is the classic pairing of beautiful women of color with white men. Like, what's up with that? Most of the time you see an interracial couple, it's going to be a woman of color with a white man, and to be honest, the woman is usually beautiful while the man can get away with being "average." It's much less common to see a man of color with a white woman.
Going back to my main point, I deeply value and appreciate all of the diversity that has ramped up lately, but we can always do better. And I don’t mean to sound ungrateful by saying that. It’s just that if women of color can finally get the screen time they deserve and be acknowledged as attractive and worthy then the same should go for men of color.
Thank you for reading!
