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.

READ NEXT: #S4MBlerds: Dear Hollywood, whitewashing doesn’t make better movies

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