Johnny Depp as Tonto

"Redface": Redface refers to the creation and propagation of racist American Indian stereotypes and caricatures. It also describes the systematic bias against hiring real Native Americans to play Native American roles shown by white producers, directors, and others who control the depiction of Native Americans in popular culture through casting decisions. (Definition by this website on offensive minority portrayals.)

So, is Johnny Depp (pictured above) being cast as Tonto in the upcoming film The Lone Ranger a prime example of redface? Much like blackface, redface has a sordid history of being a method for exploiting and ridiculing a subjugated minority. Johnny Depp is not a person of color, but mentions, "I guess I have some Native American somewhere down the line. My great grandmother was quite a bit of Native American, she grew up Cherokee or maybe Creek Indian." Does this 'count'? If he did not grow up with Native features, participate in the Native community, and has little to no knowledge of his possible ancestry, is Johnny Depp still Native American enough to play a member of the Comanche tribe? 

Tonto himself is a paradigm of racial stereotyping, with his ceremonial garb and offensive name ("tonto" is Spanish slang for stupid). But as such a huge Native American role, why did revenue for a well-known white actor supersede casting a Native American man? Rumors are that this movie aims to "reinvent" Tonto as something greater, but good intentions do not mitigate the real effects. Tonto may seem small, but his representation is inherently political.

Dana Ammann