‘The Wiz Live!’ Slammed as Racist on Social Media for All-Black Cast

Some people on Twitter apparently don’t know their musical history.

Users took to the social media platform in the days leading up to NBC’s broadcast “The Wiz Live!” to decry what they saw as racist casting. The Thursday-night live production featured an all-black cast led by Queen Latifah, David Alan Grier and newcomer Shanice Williams.

That is in keeping with the history of the stage musical, which has always featured a black cast, as well as the 1978 film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.

However, many users took to Twitter to voice their aggravation with the casting nonetheless.

I just learned there is a black version of The Wizard of Oz called “The Wiz” – how is this not racist?

– Evan (@MJTM) November 23, 2015

This is how I feel. Remaking something with an all-black cast seems…a tiny bit racist. #TheWiz — Jessica (@90s_Jess) November 19, 2015

One user, after tweeting, “This is how I feel. Remaking something with an all-black cast seems…a tiny bit racist. #TheWiz,” deleted her tweet, then went on to explain the thinking behind that deleted tweet.

I deleted a tweet. I was trying to bring awareness. No race should be proud about excluding other races. Not the original. Not the remake.

– Melly (@4princessmel) December 4, 2015

The response on Twitter during Thursday night’s broadcast — during which #TheWiz was the service’s top trending topic nationally — to the earlier racist tweets was overwhelming … and appropriate.

Please have a seat somewhere far in a corner. The wiz was an all black cast. Do your research. https://t.co/of9iZxdpTH — Ms. Misha (@Michele_Myjoy) December 4, 2015

So white ppl mad bc “the wiz” cast is all black,talking about “what if we had a all white cast of the wiz”umm y’all did… the wizard of oz

– Chardae (@Justcallme_dae) December 4, 2015

Fellow white people, I need all of you to realize that we aren’t fierce enough to perform The Wiz. We gotta stick to Oklahoma and stuff… — Jordan Milam (@Jordan_Milam) December 4, 2015

People not realizing The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz are two different shows and wondering why the cast is all black….. I’m just……..

– Kirstyn Hippe (@kirstynhippe) December 3, 2015

There’s already a “White Wiz.” It’s called the Wizard of Oz & there were no blacks in it..So they made the Wiz! The Wiz isn’t racist,stop it — Maya Beatty (@_mayamia12) December 4, 2015

Laughing at all the ppl mad at @nbc for the #Wiz stating its racist the cast is black. Umm did they not EVER watch the Wizard of Oz? Duh

– Ms. China (@mschinapojazz) December 3, 2015

So ppl are mad that this is an all black cast.. But the original The Wiz was too.. I’m confused. — Zandra Mackey (@I_am_zee_M) December 4, 2015

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron executive produced NBC’s “The Wiz Live!” with Kenny Leon serving as stage director and Matthew Diamond as TV director.