Is it Racist for Black People to Die First in Horror Movies?

Is killing Black people first in horror movies a form of punishment? What are they being punished for? If the answer lies in the fact that they are Black again, then yes, it can be considered a form of racism.
Should we punish Black characters who die first in movies? But they're already dead, aren’t they? While this used to be a common practice, it has largely changed over the past couple of decades, and writers are now more aware of how to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

A Historical Perspective: The 'Die First' Trope

That pattern was once rampant in numerous movies from the past decades. Sadly, it has also affected children, who were more often than not spared from danger but were also often the first to survive.
While it might be tempting to think that this pattern still exists because of the high demand for Black actors and roles, it is evident that the world of horror has moved beyond this.

Evolution in Representation

No, if Black characters aren't killed off, they will find a way to escape. It's funny to think about punishing people of color who die, when they are already dead.

The fact that Black characters were frequently the first to die in horror movies is rooted in a misguided attempt to fight against racism rather than perpetuating it. This was also common for LGBT characters, where they were often added to bland and tokenistic roles, merely to prove that the creators were not being bigoted.

Current State and Changing Narratives

It's important to note that the manner in which minority characters, particularly Black characters, were used in horror movies has evolved over time. As more and more marginalized characters began to appear, writers had to find new ways to include them in the narrative. Initially, these characters were often used as plot devices or died off early to avoid controversy. However, as time went on, Black characters began to be written as fully developed individuals, rather than just being defined by the color of their skin.

The 'die first' trope is less common in modern horror movies, although several still use it in some form. For instance, when the characters realize they are in a horror movie, a Black character might joke about how Black men always die first. While this trope is still occasionally used, it's not as prevalent as once it was.

The Impact of Racial Stereotypes in Horror

This phenomena isn’t unique to horror, but it is a defining aspect often brought up when discussing the genre. LGBT characters, on the other hand, were typically not killed off simply because of their sexual orientation. This was partly due to the already well-known and abhorred 'kill the gays' trope.

However, both minorities often faced the same issue: they were either underrepresented or were added to stories in a stereotypical and tokenistic manner. This approach resulted in characters who were more defined by their identity than their personality or actions.

In recent years, there has been a movement towards more diverse and nuanced representation in horror. The focus is now on portraying characters as individuals rather than stereotypes, with skin color, sexuality, or gender identity no longer being the defining aspect. This shift has led to a more balanced and realistic portrayal of these characters, and as a result, they are rarely the first victims in horror anymore.

Conclusion

The evolution of horror movies has seen a significant improvement in the representation of minority characters. While the 'die first' trope might still appear occasionally, it is no longer the default narrative for these characters. Writers and producers now have a better understanding of how to portray these characters convincingly, ensuring that their stories are not defined by the color of their skin, but by their actions and personalities.