The only downside? That film REALLY lacks diversity. Seriously, it would make you think there weren’t any Black women in the 17th century — much less the ’90s! And as a Black woman who loved all things magical as a child, never seeing characters that looked like me took a toll. It sent the message that these movies weren’t FOR me, and that if I wanted to imagine myself as a powerful witch, I also had to imagine myself as white. And I’m not alone. So instead of waiting for Disney to cast the all-Black “Hocus Pocus” remake of my dreams, I grabbed two of my co-workers and transformed us into the Black Sanderson Sisters. Was there a ton of Black Girl Magic to go around? You bet! Winifred Sanderson Costume ($49.99, Spirit Halloween) Representation for Black women, especially multiracial women, is STILL lacking in 2017, which made Kayla even more excited to personify Winifred. “There are so many powerful, smart, and funny iconic characters from pop culture that I grew up with and loved to watch over and over again,” Kayla said. “However, hardly any of them were women of color, and pretty much none of them were multiracial characters like myself.” Mary Sanderson costume ($49.99, Spirit Halloween) Mary was always special to me because she wasn’t a #boss like Winifred nor seductive like Sarah, and yet the people still feared her! She could command attention through her awkwardness, which hey, is a magical power in and of itself. Also the wig (sold out) was a #struggle when I took it off and put it back on in-between shots, but overall I felt like I was winning. Sarah Sanderson costume ($49.99, Spirit Halloween) Sarah is known for being a bombshell in the film, and Marquaysa enjoyed channeling that confidence. “She’s goofy, kind of vain (but in a sweet way), and a little awkward. I suppose I’m all three of those things,” Marquaysa said. Sarah’s characterization could’ve EASILY been played by a Black actress, so hopefully Disney will hear us out! Although Marquaysa was excited to become Sarah, she would’ve chosen a fiercer wig to reach her max slay. “In real life, I’d probably get a lace front wig with darker roots and tweak it to make it 2017 glam for a Black girl,” she said. Marquaysa still thinks it’s important for kids to see multifaceted characters who look like them on-screen. “My mom made me very aware of how special, complex and different all Black women are,” she said. “So I knew Black women should be represented in films.” Black women rarely play major characters in fantasy films, which in turn makes it difficult for Black women to be accepted in those spaces. Within cosplay, there are countless instances of Black women being singled out for portraying a fantasy character, despite, you know, it being FICTIONAL character. “Narratives attached to Black faces don’t always have to be the same,” Marquaysa said. “We are storied people who deserve to showcase all the nuances of our culture just like everyone else.” More bold, quirky, and fierce Black characters in movies like “Hocus Pocus” are so important. Also now other young Black girls can see the magic in them, too!
title: “Black Women Who Love Hocus Pocus Become The Sanderson Sisters” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-10” author: “Terrence Payton”
The only downside? That film REALLY lacks diversity. Seriously, it would make you think there weren’t any Black women in the 17th century — much less the ’90s! And as a Black woman who loved all things magical as a child, never seeing characters that looked like me took a toll. It sent the message that these movies weren’t FOR me, and that if I wanted to imagine myself as a powerful witch, I also had to imagine myself as white. And I’m not alone. So instead of waiting for Disney to cast the all-Black “Hocus Pocus” remake of my dreams, I grabbed two of my co-workers and transformed us into the Black Sanderson Sisters. Was there a ton of Black Girl Magic to go around? You bet! Winifred Sanderson Costume ($49.99, Spirit Halloween) Representation for Black women, especially multiracial women, is STILL lacking in 2017, which made Kayla even more excited to personify Winifred. “There are so many powerful, smart, and funny iconic characters from pop culture that I grew up with and loved to watch over and over again,” Kayla said. “However, hardly any of them were women of color, and pretty much none of them were multiracial characters like myself.” Mary Sanderson costume ($49.99, Spirit Halloween) Mary was always special to me because she wasn’t a #boss like Winifred nor seductive like Sarah, and yet the people still feared her! She could command attention through her awkwardness, which hey, is a magical power in and of itself. Also the wig (sold out) was a #struggle when I took it off and put it back on in-between shots, but overall I felt like I was winning. Sarah Sanderson costume ($49.99, Spirit Halloween) Sarah is known for being a bombshell in the film, and Marquaysa enjoyed channeling that confidence. “She’s goofy, kind of vain (but in a sweet way), and a little awkward. I suppose I’m all three of those things,” Marquaysa said. Sarah’s characterization could’ve EASILY been played by a Black actress, so hopefully Disney will hear us out! Although Marquaysa was excited to become Sarah, she would’ve chosen a fiercer wig to reach her max slay. “In real life, I’d probably get a lace front wig with darker roots and tweak it to make it 2017 glam for a Black girl,” she said. Marquaysa still thinks it’s important for kids to see multifaceted characters who look like them on-screen. “My mom made me very aware of how special, complex and different all Black women are,” she said. “So I knew Black women should be represented in films.” Black women rarely play major characters in fantasy films, which in turn makes it difficult for Black women to be accepted in those spaces. Within cosplay, there are countless instances of Black women being singled out for portraying a fantasy character, despite, you know, it being FICTIONAL character. “Narratives attached to Black faces don’t always have to be the same,” Marquaysa said. “We are storied people who deserve to showcase all the nuances of our culture just like everyone else.” More bold, quirky, and fierce Black characters in movies like “Hocus Pocus” are so important. Also now other young Black girls can see the magic in them, too!
