This awards season, we’ve cycled through another set of conversations about issues of representation. These conversations have focused on who is or is not seen on screen and how they are portrayed.

While conversations about representation are essential, we also need to discuss the way racism itself is portrayed. The stories we tell about racism can help solve the problem — or can perpetuate it. In other words, not every story told about racism is antiracist.

To tell the difference, Phillipe Copeland developed the Copeland test. Inspired by the Bechdel test, the Copeland test is a tool to encourage more antiracist portrayals of racism in pop culture.

If a story meets all three criteria, it fully passes the Copeland test. If it only meets one or two, it partially passes it. If it doesn’t meet any of the criteria, it fails the test.

The Copeland Test

Racism is systemic

Racism is portrayed as a systemic issue and not just as blatant acts of discrimination, bigotry or hatred by White people. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier shows that even Black superheroes can't escape racial inequities in the banking system.

POCs humanized

People of color are portrayed as fully human, not reduced to stereotypes or victims. Reservation Dogs shows the impact of colonialism and genocide on its Indigenous characters, but also the ways they strive to live fully and love deeply.

White solidarity

White people are portrayed as working in solidarity with people of color, not just as villains or saviors. “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” features White folks collaborating with people of color to resist racism.

Try it yourself!

Avatar: The Way of Water

Avatar: The Way of Water is a 2022 American epic science fiction film directed and produced by James Cameron. The film was a major box office success grossing about $2.315 billion worldwide.

Systemic racism

POCs humanized

White solidarity


It fails the test ... James Cameron’s Avatar films have been criticized for “White saviorism” and perpetuating stereotypes about Indigenous peoples.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once grossed over $135 million worldwide, surpassing A24's previous best-ever grossing film, Hereditary (2018).

Systemic racism

POCs humanized

White solidarity


Asian representation was celebrated with a historic Oscars sweep for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor wins for Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan.

The movie follows Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), a Chinese American woman who is trying to protect her laundromat, which is being audited by the IRS, when she discovers she must also help save the multiverse. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Deirdre Beaubeirdra, an IRS inspector assigned to the Wangs’ case.

Just Mercy

Just Mercy, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2019, was theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 25, 2019. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $50.4 million.

Systemic racism

POCs humanized

White solidarity


A film that fully passes the Copeland test is “Just Mercy” (2019). This film focuses on real-life hero Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative.

While blatant racism is portrayed, we also see how racism is systemic through the application of colorblind legal procedures.

“Just Mercy” shows people enduring racism in all its ugliness, but we also see moments of humor, kindness and love.

Eva Ansley, Bryan Stevenson’s White colleague, is a collaborator rather than a savior, who insists on continuing to work with Stevenson, even after her family is targeted, emphasizing the values they share and the significance of the advocacy they provide.