Queen Cleopatra's heritage questioned!

Cleopatra of Egypt could have been represented by different races, why does it matter so much that she be portrayed in diversification as of African descent and mixed heritage.

The average ancient Egyptian had a prominent nose bridge, and protrusive lips. As indigenous Africans, you can get an idea of what ancient Egyptians looked like. With the introduction of the Greeks and the Persians, the mingling resulted in differences of skin color and hue.

What are the odds that Cleopatra was of mixed race?

Perhaps the strongest evidence cited against Cleopatra having Black ancestry is that the Ptolemy family was quite xenophobic—against "outsiders" including the native Egyptians they ruled for about 300 years. Cleopatra's family were Macedonians who conquered Egypt, another example of power play which forcefully take what is not theirs, then condescend towards their captors. The Ptolemies were highly inbred, the Ptolemaic kings were said to have married their full sisters. Who knows what other atrocities they may have committed when no one was paying attention.

It is time that we move on from our petty differences and admit that we are all one under sun and sky. There are far more pressing and important matters that need our attention than small-minded squabbles and the age old concept of whose skin is better or more superior than the next.

The following story contains excerpts from an article written by Alicia Adejobi •

On Metro.

Cleopatra actress Adele James blasts racist trolls amid ‘blackwashing’ criticism

The actress playing Cleopatra in an upcoming Netflix documentary has exposed the racist abuse she has received amid criticism of the series.

Former Casualty star Adele James takes the lead as Queen Cleopatra in the four-part Docu-series, which follows the life of Egypt’s last pharaoh who reigned for 21 years between 51 to 30 BC before her death by suicide.

Produced and narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith, the Programme has faced scrutiny and claims of ‘blackwashing’ due to Cleopatra being portrayed by an actress of mixed heritage.

Egyptian academics argue that Cleopatra was of European descent and not Black – she was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria but belonged to a Greek-speaking dynasty.

It has emerged that an Egyptian lawyer is suing Netflix over the portrayal of the pharaoh in the series, which is titled Queen Cleopatra.

Adele has since been subjected to horrific abuse on social media with trolls hurling racist slurs on Twitter.

Adele’s casting has again highlighted the age-old conversation about Cleopatra’s race.

Adele suggested trolls ‘don’t watch’ the documentary if they’re upset about the casting choice.

The actress shared screenshots of the messages and wrote: ‘Just FYI, this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated on my account. You will be blocked without hesitation!!!

‘If you don’t like the casting don’t watch the show. Or do & engage in (expert) opinion different to yours. Either way, I’M GASSED and will continue to be!’ She wrote,

After being bombarded with support, she later added: ‘Trust me when I say that the love is LOUD(er) There are too many amazing messages for one reel, but I wanted to say thank you, beautiful people for your humanity, kindness, support and excitement! It means the world".

A previously released synopsis explained that the documentary will focus on Cleopatra’s heritage, which has ‘been the subject of much academic debate but often ignored by Hollywood'.

However, lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary has since filed a lawsuit over the casting and claimed Netflix was committing a ‘crime’ for portraying Cleopatra as Black.

The complaint stated according to Egypt Independent said: ‘Most of what Netflix platform displays do not conform to Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian ones'.

Al-Semary claimed the trailer contradicted Egyptian history and promoted Afrocentrism at the expense of Egyptian identity.

His complaint continued: "In order to preserve the Egyptian national and cultural identity among Egyptians all over the world there must be pride in the makings of such work".

Netflix previously noted they had cast bi-racial Adele in a ‘nod to the centuries-long conversation about the ruler’s race’.

According to the streamer’s Tudum website, producer Jada was quoted as saying: ‘We don’t often get to see or hear stories about Black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them!’

What are your thoughts on the criticism of Queen Cleopatra?