Recent Hollywood castings of white actors in ethnic roles prompted a heated discussion on Twitter. As #OscarsSoWhite spoke against the lack of representation for African Americans, #whitewashedOUT objected the decades-long practice of erasing Asians from mainstream media.
#whitewashedOut: A protest against white actors playing Asian roles—and so much more https://t.co/0Rnsz6KL7p pic.twitter.com/vKhIf2t9Px
— CNNMoney (@CNNMoney) May 3, 2016
The topic spread rapidly, and educated on the various ways Asians are excluded from their own narratives.
The statistics are staggering.
Much love & respect to Asian actors sharing their stories here👉 #whitewashedOUT
the industry just has to do better pic.twitter.com/MX2UPDKZbW
— Pia Glenn (@PiaGlenn) May 3, 2016
And, of course, this systemic racism didn’t happen overnight.
.@GeorgeTakei speaking on the @Marvel #DoctorStrange casting of Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One #whitewashedOUT pic.twitter.com/KJPzHn88wY
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) May 3, 2016
When they say profits justify giving white people jobs over Asian people, it is hard to deny racism is systemized by money💵 #whitewashedOUT
— Lisa Vikingstad (@LisaVikingstad) May 3, 2016
Is claiming white actors bring more money to the movies, meanwhile Chris Hemsworth has been in more flops than I can count #whitewashedOUT
— Valerie Complex (@ValerieComplex) May 3, 2016
These films were notoriously whitewashed & were box offices flops #whitewashedOUT pic.twitter.com/oFSz9kS2fa
— lauren. (@wckdstiles24) May 3, 2016
Lack of representation derails dreams, and silences any critic.
Growing up wishing you were white so you could be characters in stories #whitewashedOUT
— Anna Akana (@AnnaAkana) May 3, 2016
When every little Asian girl’s favorite princess is Mulan because she is ALL WE HAVE. #whitewashedOUT
— Ju Li K (@Juleshortstuff) May 3, 2016
When the message is that i need to just watch Asian tv and movies and not complain #whitewashedOUT
— Gleggie (@GleggieBaby) May 3, 2016
And it isn’t just on the silver screen where the Asian community is drowned out.
#whitewashedOUT includes the music industry. There’s little inclusion for Asian musicians in the USA’s mainstream pop culture.
— ️ (@FiIipinx) May 3, 2016
Asians are either reduced to minimal or no exposure; or are only painted ethnic when deemed necessary.
anyway, thinking about #whitewashedOUT and the fact that 1980s GI JOE was created by an Asian American veteran https://t.co/ULL7gpj1rb
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) May 3, 2016
why cast an asian woman in an asian role when you could just give becky an angled bob haircut#whitewashedOUT
— marvel comics’ silk© (@traceyfanclub) May 3, 2016
#whitewashedOUT
Keanu Reeves is coded white in every movie, until 47 Ronin when suddenly Hollywood cares about his Chinese grandmother.— Fangirl Jeanne (@fangirlJeanne) May 3, 2016
Not a sidekick. Not a sidechick. #whitewashedOUT
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) May 3, 2016
With all the progress we have made, there are still giant strides to reach to even the playing field.
